Local food pantries are often inundated during the holiday season because people are in the spirit of giving, but the giving slows dramatically during the summer months. That's unfortunate because experts know... hunger doesn't take a summer vacation. In fact, food pantries struggle to keep up with the demand for help during the summer months. And now there is a new face of hunger in our community. People who one or two years ago were holding jobs and feeding their families without trouble, now need to rely on food pantries.

Because of that, WZZM 13, Spartan Stores, Country Fresh, and Christian Brothers Automotive are teaming up this summer to help meet the needs of hungry families in West Michigan. 13 Food for Families runs from June 10 - 17, 2013. During the campaign, WZZM viewers will be encouraged to donate canned goods and non-perishables to local food pantries. The food collected will be distributed to pantries by ACCESS, a non-profit organization whose goal it is to connect people with resources with people in need. The food will be divided among pantries throughout Western Michigan. Our goal this year is 200,000 pounds of food. Please do your part to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry at night.