The study released today from Feeding America reports that more than 37 million people in America receive emergency food each year through the nation’s network of food banks and the agencies we serve. The findings represent a staggering 46 percent increase since the 2006 study.

While it’s no secret that the economy has taken its toll on the country and on our neighbors, it’s staggering to consider that that in the Second Harvest Heartland service area alone, hunger has doubled. Twice as many people in our community are visiting food shelves and soup kitchens than they were just five years ago.

Key takeaways:

• Households served annually through SHH in 2005 equaled 224,200; the number now totals 468,000.
• 40 percent of households served each year have at least one child under the age of 18.
• While we primarily serve the working poor, this study demonstrates the devastating impact of the weakening economy, which over the past two years has left more Americans without work, without homes and without food. Only 36 percent of households we serve now have at least one employed adult (168,480), a 12 percent decrease.

We are committed to finding innovative ways of securing more food and increasing participation in existing and funded food assistance and nutrition programs, and will leave no stone unturned as we strive to put an end to hunger in our community.

Looking for a way to help? By supporting our neighbors in need, you’re supporting the community at large. With each $10 gift to Second Harvest Heartland, we can provide a month’s worth of meals to a family of four. Make a gift now >>

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm and is filed under Give Help, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.