WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials in the Washington region are asking residents to join in a day of service.

The governments of the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia asked people to volunteer on Saturday, in particular with organizations that fight hunger.

Washington Mayor Vincent Gray proclaimed Saturday a day of service and asked residents to help address the issue of food insecurity. Gray’s proclamation said that from 2008 to 2010, 13 percent of households in the city didn’t know where their next meal would come from.

In Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley asked residents to participate in community service projects that focused on eradicating childhood hunger and protecting the environment. And in Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell called on citizens to collect food donations and volunteer at food banks.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)