Businesses in the West Midlands are being called upon to support efforts to address a rising tide of hunger in the region.
Our sister titles BirminghamLive and the Birmingham Mail have launched a campaign called #FoodSOS - scroll down for links to find out how you can get involved.
Alongside partners at food banks in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull, BirminghamLive has declared a food emergency after revealing around 55,000 people in the city region had recently gone a full day or more without eating.
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The campaign calls on volunteers to donate goods, time and money to rectify the problem - editor Graeme Brown said support from businesses was pivotal.
"Food poverty in the West Midlands is alarming - and getting worse," he said.
"This is not about anything other than supporting the absolute heroes who are feeding the hungry in our region and facing a rising tide.
"Businesses can help in many ways - from directly donating food to raising money and even getting their employees signed up to EasyFundraising so they can raise money as they shop.
"We'll remain in this partnership with food banks and others feeding the hungry people in our area for as long as it takes which, sadly, I think will be a very long time."
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New research by the Food Foundation think tank found that at least one in 20 people in Birmingham had gone a full day or more without eating in April while an estimated one in seven were classed as "food insecure" - not certain about their next access to food.
The new campaign is being run in partnership with the local food justice network and the Active Wellbeing Society.
There are several different ways you and your business can help:
- through the community JustGiving collection. Every penny will go to the food frontline to fund food and essential items
- to your nearest community food operation
- by volunteering to distribute parcels or help out at food banks, gather food, cook or serve customers at cafés. If you're a community group or corporate organisation wanting to sign up together, please get in touch
- by signing up with EasyFundraising
If you need help, to find your nearest location.
Those who support are asked to share their efforts using the #FoodSOS hashtag - and their stories might be shared in the Birmingham Mail and on BirminghamLive.