INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY
HUNGER IN AMERICA
MORE THAN 37
MILLION PEOPLE in the United States struggle with hunger according to the USDA's 2019 Household Food Insecurity in the United States report.
Many households that experience food insecurity DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support.
Currently, MORE THAN 11 MILLION CHILDREN live in food-insecure households. Households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity.
HUNGER TERMS
FOOD INSECURITY
Food insecurity refers to USDA’s measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. Food-insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time. Food insecurity may reflect a household’s need to make trade-offs between important basic needs, such as housing or medical bills, and purchasing nutritionally adequate foods.
FOOD DESERT
A food desert is an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food, in contrast with an area with higher access to supermarkets or vegetable shops with fresh foods, which is called a food oasis.
FOOD SECURITY
Access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food Security includes at a minimum: (1) the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods and (2) an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. That is, without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies.
FOOD INSECURITY IN CHAMPAIGN, CLARK, AND LOGAN COUNTIES IN 2020.
SHFB IN THE NEWS
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
FALL 2022
meeting challenges head on
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Two years ago, when schools and businesses were forced to closed due to the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank remained open. Fortunately, there was an outpour of support on a federal, state, and local level. Additional food and nonfood items came in by the truckloads and went out directly to our neighbors.
Today, we face a new challenge. Much of the pandemic support has ended but our service numbers remain over 30% higher prior to the pandemic. We anticipate the number to grow due to federal support and programs coming to an end soon. Not only are we serving more people, but their needs are greater. In the past, people utilized food banks and food pantries to supplement their meals. We now see more people coming to our doors with literally nothing.
Why the increased need? Inflation continues to impact all households but especially those who were already struggling. Imagine receiving $119 in SNAP benefits for the month while surviving on a monthly income of less than $1,000. This amount of benefits may get people through a week, if that. People are relying on emergency resources to provide the majority of their meals.
This is occurring at the same time food banks including Second Harvest are receiving less federal and local donations. Due to supply chain and transportation issues, almost 50 truckloads of food have been canceled; leaving Second Harvest Food Bank with less than two months’ worth of food. Our goal is to always have 3 months of food on hand. There have been times staff comes in concerned that we are low or without frozen protein, which is one of the most requested items from neighbors.
Second Harvest Food Bank is seeking support on a federal, state, and local level. It is going to take funding on all levels to conquer this challenge head on. It is imperative that we find a way to ensure our seniors, children, and families do not go to bed hungry. Every person deserves access to nutritious food at all times. We ask that you help make this happen by donating today.
Tyra L. Jackson
Executive Director
IN THE MEDIA
Second Harvest Food Bank Feature
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
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