The face of hunger is often hidden in our community. September is hunger action month. It's a time to reflect on how to help people in need.

Right now, at least ten people are living in their cars in Winchester. We know it happens, but to meet two people who face this reality is shocking.

"It's sort of like a little home, but it's moving and it cost gas," said 21 year old living in a car.

This is a story about two young men. One is 21. The other is 23. For more than two weeks now, they've been living in a car in Winchester.

"The dictionary will tell you that homeless means you don't have any place to go. I don't see myself as homeless because I have a place to sleep every night," said 21 year old.

A place most of us wouldn't think of as counting as a home. Both guys had jobs. They moved out of their families homes and found out quickly that they couldn't make ends meet.

"I was actually making it for a while and then suddenly at the drop of a hat I'm living out of my car and hoping that I can make it down to my relatives," said 23 year old.

"I just come home, open the door, sit on the seat and crash," said 21 year old.

The guys say they sleep for about eight hours in their cars. So that's one need taken care of. Another need is food. They say they go to different food pantries to get their meals.

"The whole hunger and the whole struggle to provide food for your family I don't think has an age range. Everybody struggles with it at different times," said Sandi Webster with Phazz One Ministries.

Webster is the community services director for Phazz One Ministries. Every other Sunday they prepare a free community meal.

"We have families with kids. Young families with young kids as well as senior citizens and everybody in between," said Webster.

She says while their numbers are staying the same, they are seeing new faces.

"Because of the economy and the price of food and the price of gas I think it's an issue that we're always going to face," said Webster.

Everyday, there's at least one soup kitchen or one food pantry open in Winchester. They even created a list showing where everyone could get a free meal.

"My favorite is the Salvation Army just because you get a home cooked meal," said Webster.

A home cooked meal...something they can't get in a car.

Last Friday, we helped "Stuff the Truck" for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The Food Bank estimates that we raised more than $15,000 pounds of food and $1,500 dollars.

There is still time to help fight hunger.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

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