CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Food Insecurity continues to be one of the leading challenges here in western Massachusetts. More than 98,000 people are food insecure here in western Massachusetts. In Hampden County, the food insecurity numbers are the highest with 61,000 and 700 people facing this challenge. A survey has also shown that this county has also reached a 48% food insecurity rate. The executive director of the Food Bank of Western MA Andrew Morehouse told 22News that the food bank is providing food to about 120,000 people across all four counties in western MA and about half reside in Hampden County. He explains what they are doing in response to this, "The Food Bank is providing over 1.2 million pounds of food every month to those 120 thousand individuals who are seeking food assistance because they are having a hard time making ends meet." Health officials say some of the reasons behind food insecurity are poverty and unemployment, lack of affordable housing, and racism and discrimination. The Food Bank of Western MA says they will continue to assist families to try and bring those food insecure percentages down here in the western part of the state. Local News Headlines State Senate and auditor still at odds Freezing temps keep ice on rivers and ponds in MA Mass. businesses get federal funds for solar energy Food insecurity impacts nearly 100K in western Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.