Hunger is surging in the nation’s capital — and far too many families are being left behind.

A new report from the Capital Area Food Bank shows that food insecurity in the D.C. region has increased and is now dangerously high. Over a third of households are struggling to afford enough food. And the percentage of people experiencing the most severe level — “very low food security” — has risen sharply.

This means more children going to school hungry. More parents skipping meals so their kids can eat. More elderly residents living on fixed incomes with empty cupboards.

Among families impacted by recent federal job cuts, the situation is even worse. Two-thirds of food-insecure households tied to federal employment say they now experience very low food security, marked by disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake, according to the USDA’s own definition.

This includes people who once had stable federal jobs and are now standing in food pantry lines.

Meanwhile, food stamp benefits are being slashed. Local food banks are overwhelmed. And the federal government is canceling its annual food insecurity report — making this crisis even harder to track or solve.

We, the undersigned, are calling on:

The D.C., Maryland, and Virginia governments
Members of Congress representing the DMV
The White House and USDA

to take immediate and coordinated action to solve this crisis.

We need:

• Emergency food aid for struggling families
• Expanded funding for local food banks and delivery networks
• Job recovery programs for laid-off federal workers and contractors
• Restoration of SNAP and food assistance programs
• A national commitment to measure, track, and reduce hunger

No one should be skipping meals in the shadow of the Capitol. In one of the wealthiest regions in the country, food insecurity on this scale is unacceptable.

Hunger is solvable — but only if our leaders choose to act.

Sign your name and demand they do.