Coming Soon - Hunger In America 2009

Link to National Hunger Study 2006

Summary of Hunger Study Findings 2006

Tri-State Food Bank of Indiana

For many years, agencies, such as the Tri-State Food Bank and our region's food pantries, emergency kitchens, and homeless shelters, have joined a network of others trying to meet the hunger needs of families in poverty across America. This network is lead at the national level by America's Second Harvest. Organizations in the network solicit donations from national and local donors and distribute the food to those in need.

In 2005, America's Second Harvest led a network of 200 Food Banks in conducting a national study of hunger in America. A carefully designed national sample included interviews with more than 52,000 clients and surveys from more than 30,000 agencies that feed people. This is accomplished through food pantries that provide groceries and emergency kitchens and homeless shelters that provide meals.

In the Tri-State staff members and volunteers, primarily social work students and faculty from the University of Southern Indiana, traveled throughout our 33-county region, which includes 16 Southeast Illinois, eight Northwestern Kentucky, and nine Southwestern Indiana counties, to randomly interview clients at pantries, kitchens and shelters. The sample size was 400 interviews: 64% in food pantries, 34% in emergency kitchens, and 2% in homeless shelters.  In addition, feeding program staff completed surveys that described their services.

The study showed that the Tri-State food Bank provides food to 214 agencies in our 33-county area, According to the study, most of these agencies (69%) are faith-based. Most rely on volunteers to keep their doors open. The study showed that 68% of food pantries and 47% of emergency kitchens rely entirely on volunteers with no paid staff. These agencies get most (62%) of their food from the Food Bank. Clearly we have a well organized and hard working network of feeding programs in the Tri-State.

Through its network of agencies, the study showed that the Tri-State Food Bank served 86,500 different people last year, 35% of the clients were families with children under age 18.

Among those interviewed in food pantries, almost half (45%) were in households with children under age 18. Almost half (41%) were households of two or three people. The clients were primarily female (80%), married (51%), high school graduates (55%), living in rural and suburban areas (64%), and between the ages of 30 and 49 (42%). Most received either social security (SSA) or social security disability (SSDI) (68%). Only 2.6% reported having no income. In 33% of the households at least one adult was employed.

Among those interviewed at emergency kitchens, half were female (52%), married (54%), high school graduates (46%), and between the ages of 30 and 49 (56%). Most received either social security (SSA) or supplemental security income (SSI) (60%). Only 8% reported having no income. Among 40% of those interviewed, at least one adult in their household was employed.

Among those interviewed in the feeding programs at homeless shelters, more than half (58%) were male, mostly unmarried (97%), high school graduates (55%). Most (40%)) were between the ages of 30 and 49. Many (25%) received supplemental security income (SSI) and 25% reported no income.

The survey, taken last spring, showed that almost one half of the clients (42%) were already reporting having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel. These findings, in addition to the sharp rise in heating costs experienced this winter, show the gap that exists for Tri-State citizens between their resources and hunger needs. In addition, clients reported having to choose between paying for food and paying rent, making mortgage payments, and paying for medical bills.

In addition, almost one half (44%) of clients interviewed reported receiving Food Stamp Benefits. For those who receive food stamps, 27% report they last only one week and another 27% report they last only two weeks. Thus, food stamps run out half way through the month. These findings show that the Food Stamp Program is not meeting the hunger needs of those receiving them, and not reaching all those who need food assistance. Again, there is evidence that a gap exists in our area for citizens at or near the poverty line who cannot meet their hunger needs.

The 2006 Study of Hunger in the Tri-State shows a gap between income sources and food needs for significant numbers of citizens throughout the Tri-State region. Even citizens with high school educations, those receiving social security, and in some cases even Food Stamps, do not have income supports sufficient to pay for housing, medical care, and food. What this means for the Tri-State Food Bank and others in our hunger network is that we must work to close this gap. We need to face the reality that many of our fellow citizens are not facing a food crisis, but live each year without adequate income to purchase food. Unless access and amounts provided through the food stamp program increase, then, feeding programs available through pantries, kitchens and shelters, will need to act as long term supports to regularly meet the hunger needs of Americans in poverty.

Prepared by Martha Raske, member, Board of Directors, Tri-State Food Bank

Martha Raske, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Social Work Department

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, IN 47712

mraske@usi.edu

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