HUNGER FACTS

In 2008, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.4 million adults and 16.7 million children. Food insecurity means not having dependable, consistent access to enough food due to limited money and resources.

In 2008, households that were more likely to experience food insecurity were households with children (21.0%). Households with children reported food insecurity at almost double the rate for those without children.

In 2008, 8.1% of households with seniors (2.3 million households) were food insecure.

One in eight Americans does not have access to enough food.

In 2008, 19 million people lived in working-poor families

34% of all clients served by the Feeding America Network (which includes IPM) have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.

Poor families below the federal poverty level spent about 25% of their income for child care compared to higher-income families who spent 7%. This leaves poor families with less income to pay for food.

In fiscal year 2008, 49% of food stamp recipients were children.

A record 36 million people, one in every 8 Americans, received food stamps at latest count according to the federal government.

Food stamps are the major U.S. anti-hunger program. Currently, nearly 12% of Americans receive food assistance. The average benefit was $130.00 per person in Ohio in November 2009.

January 2009 marks the third time in five months that enrollment for food stamps set a record. Food stamp enrollment rose in all but four of the 50 states.

In comparison to food secure children, children from food insecure families are 90% more likely to be in fair or poor health and have 30% higher rates of hospitalization.

Children from food insecure, low-income households are more likely to experience irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating compared to other children.

Research shows that preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger.

Research indicates that even mild undernutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development.

Nearly 14 million children are estimated to be served by Feeding America, over 3 million of which are ages 5 and under. The top six states with the highest rate of food insecure children under 5 are Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and New Mexico.

The most prominent contributors to increases in demand for food at food banks are the rising cost of food, increasing unemployment and underemployment and high housing and medical costs.

In 2008, 4.1% of all U.S. households (4.8 million households) accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times.

Feeding America provides emergency food assistance to an estimated 37 million low-income people annually, a 46% increase from 25 million since the study, Hunger in America 2006.

Ohio Facts:   13.3% food insecure (18.7 children food insecure)

                     12.9% living in poverty

                     21% children living in poverty

                     10.9% unemployed

[ Statistics taken from the website of Feeding America ]