Along with Yuma's high unemployment rate of 27.3 percent comes many families who are struggling to put food on their tables.

That is why the Yuma Community Food Bank is stepping up their efforts trying to raise $1.5 million by asking the community to "Step Up to the Plate" to make this possible.

"This is the Yuma Community Food Bank's capital campaign called Step Up to the Plate...to try to help fight the war on hunger in Yuma," said Mike Ivers, the president of the YCFB.

Last year, the Yuma Community Food Bank provided 12 million pounds of food to hungry families.

The food bank serves 750 children per week.

"Forty-two point nine percent of the children are food insecure in Yuma County. Food insecurity means not knowing where your next meal is going to come from. Think about that," Ivers said.

There are several ways to get involved: As a match donor, you can pledge to give up to a certain amount to match other donations; local businesses can hang paper plates with messages to those in need and rally for donations; or, you can donate your time.

"We have a tremendous amount of people--especially when the economy was taking a tumble--that need to be fed, and people don't realize it," said Dave Cummins, a YCFB board member.

For more information on how you, your family or business can get involved in the Step Up to the Plate campaign, visit www.yumafoodbank.org.