Hunger in America: How to Help

A general view of atmosphere at the Feeding America event encouraging consumers to join in the fight against hunger at Food Bank for New York City's Community Kitchen of West Harlem in New York City. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

This Thanksgiving, putting together that family meal will be difficult for many Americans.

Not only are food prices up 13 percent, but Feeding America says that one in six Americans just don't have access to enough food. The U.S. hunger-relief organization says that more than 50 million Americans live in "food insecure" households.

Click here to donate to Feeding America.

Paula Thornton Greear, a Feeding America spokeswoman, said this Thanksgiving, the group's more than 200 food banks were experiencing a turkey shortage, but she stressed that the need for food assistance wasn't only a holiday problem.

"Feeding America network food banks continue to report significant increases in the number of people seeking assistance," she told ABC News via email. "Nearly 49 million men, women and children worry about the source of their next meal."

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

A general view of atmosphere at the Feeding... View Full Size

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

A general view of atmosphere at the Feeding America event encouraging consumers to join in the fight against hunger at Food Bank for New York City's Community Kitchen of West Harlem in New York City.

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"What's so hard is that a lot of families are working so hard," said Dr. Megan Sandel, an associate professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston Medical Center's Grow Clinic. "They are working jobs. They are earning money and their dollars just don't go far enough."

Nearly 15 million children live in poverty in the United States, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty, and that number is up almost 20 percent from 2000, primarily because of higher unemployment and foreclosures.

If you would like to donate money to help those in need of food there are several ways:

Feeding America: Feeding America will help provide food to an estimated 14 million children this year. The organization says that for $45, it can feed a family of four for a month.

To donate to Feeding America, click here

Or you can contribute $10 by texting MEAL to 50555 and replying "YES"

You can also make a food donation to your local food pantry. For a list of food pantries in your area click here.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages every American to become a Champion to End Childhood Hunger and offers ideas for ways Champions can commit time, energy, or resources.

To become a Champion to End Childhood Hunger, click here

Click here for full coverage of ABC News' Hunger at Home: Crisis in America