At some point this week, whether it's while preparing the Thanksgiving feast or while picking over a ton of tasty leftovers, you may ask yourself: Do I really need to have more food than I can possibly eat while so many people are going hungry this holiday season?

It's true that in this time of deep recession, more people than ever cannot afford to feed themselves and their families. A new government report (PDF) reveals that the percentage of American households with problems getting enough food during at least part of the year jumped from 11.1 percent in 2007 to 14.6 percent in 2008, with over one-quarter of black households having food access issues in 2008.

So it follows that a number of hungry people are turning to emergency food programs, such as community pantries and food banks, to fill their empty stomachs. Since you probably have so much food right now, wouldn't it make sense for you to donate some of your leftover turkey and trimmings to hungry neighbors through those programs?


Learn More About Hunger in America in the Above Video

Not necessarily, say experts. Many people who turn to such programs have dietary restrictions due to diabetes, heart disease, food allergies or other health conditions. To ensure their safety, many emergency food programs have restrictions on the types of food donations they'll accept.

I reached out to Jilly Stephens, executive director of the City Harvest hunger relief nonprofit in New York City, for advice on how to help the hunger crisis during the holidays. Check out her answers below, plus information on how to locate a food bank you can donate to in your area of the United States.

Black Voices: What's the most surprising thing you've found about hunger and the demand for food during this particular holiday season?
Jilly Stephens: We're seeing that demand is even greater this year than last [year for] emergency feeding programs in New York City. City Harvest recently looked at third quarter data from 390 of the programs, where we deliver food, and found that visits had increased by 15 percent compared to the same period last year. We're seeing that those people who were hit hard when the [economic] downturn began last fall are still struggling, and people who had been okay – either because they kept their jobs for a few months longer or had some savings to shore them up – are now starting to have trouble putting food on the table.

BV: If people want to donate food, how should they go about it? Should they donate leftovers or stick to canned items?
JS: It's essential that we provide emergency feeding programs with safe food for people coming to them for help, and that means City Harvest can't take food that has been on someone's table. We rely on food drives to help supply soup kitchens and food pantries in New York City with canned and packaged food to stock their shelves, and this type of food is especially needed now. City Harvest is looking for donations of canned fruits and vegetables; peanut butter in plastic jars; beans, meat and other proteins; and hot and cold cereal. Visit CityHarvest.org for tips on running a food drive.

BV: How else can people support their neighbors who are experiencing hunger?
JS: The important thing is to bring whatever you can to the table -- whether that's money, food or volunteering your time.

If you'd like to organize a food drive or donate unopened canned or packaged goods left over from your Thanksgiving preparations, use Feeding America's national food bank locator to find a pantry in your area that will take donations.

Of course, if you're more comfortable with opening your wallet, emergency food programs will always welcome (and in many cases, prefer) monetary donations.

Enjoy your blessings and loved ones this Thanksgiving week.

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Sheryl Huggins Salomon is contributing editor of Black Voices, where she writes about politics and society. She is co-editor of the 'Nia Guide for Black Women' series of self-improvement books and the former publisher of Shade magazine. Follow her on Twitter or contact her at BVCEditor@aol.com.