The statistics are grim, especially for children. One out of four Michigan children lives in a household with food insecurity, meaning they do not always know where their next meal is coming from.

In southeast Michigan, nearly 40 percent of more than 100,000 people receiving food assistance each week are children under age 18. Poor nutrition, particularly in the first three years of life, has profound implications on a child’s physical and mental health, development, academic achievement and economic productivity.

Today Patch.com, through its 30 Michigan sites, is launching an online food drive to raise $10,000 by Nov. 17 to feed area families. This is the first virtual food drive for the Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Patch is proud and honored to be their first partner.

Shop Gleaners' virtual grocery shelves. Click to get started!

Follow progress of Patch's fight against hunger. Click to watch donations grow!

How can you help? Click the shopping link above and select items from the virtual grocery shelves. When you check out, be sure to select a Patch from the drop down menu to ensure your donation is designated for that community. Gleaners says each dollar donated provides three meals for hungry families.

Starting next week on Patch, you can learn more about the challenges facing hungry children in our communities and meet local hunger heroes fighting to ensure that people have access to the food they need.

Please join Patch, Gleaners and food heroes in your community in the fight against hunger.

Get answers to frequently asked Virtual Food Drive questions.