Friday, 12 February 2010 23:25 Last Updated on Friday, 12 February 2010 23:44 Written by admin

Landmark New Study Reveals an Unprecedented Number of Fredericksburg Area Residents Seeking Emergency Food Assistance

Largest, Most Comprehensive Report Ever Conducted On Emergency Food Distribution Reports 60 Percent Increase in Clients Served Annually; Nearly 20,000 Children and 3,000 Seniors in Need

FREDERICKSBURG,VA FEBRUARY 2, 2010 --- A landmark study released today by the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, reports that more than 43,000 people, including 20,000 children, receive emergency food each year through Fredericksburg Area Food Bank The findings represent a 60 percent increase since the findings reported in Hunger in America 2006.

Hunger in America 2010 is the first research study to capture the significant connection between the recent economic downturn and an increased need for emergency food assistance. The number of children and adults in need of food as a result of experiencing food insecurity has significantly increased.

In Planning District 16, which includes the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, and the city of Fredericksburg, , more than 40 in 100 client households are experiencing very low food security—or hunger—a 33 percent increase in the number of households compared to four years ago.

An estimated 3,000 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.

Nationally, more than one in three client households are experiencing very low food security—or hunger—a 54 percent increase in the number of households compared to four years ago.

An estimated 5.7 million people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by one of Feeding America’s more than 200 food banks, including the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank. This is a 27 percent increase over numbers reported in Hunger in America 2006), which reported that 4.5 million people were served each week.

Says Oya Oliver, Executive Director of the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, “This nationwide study has confirmed what those of us working in charitable food assistance in the Fredericksburg region already knew. The numbers of people showing up at food pantries in Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties have increased dramatically in the past few years. An increased unemployment rate, high housing costs, and increased fuel and food costs have placed incredible stress on not only the poor but also working families in our region. We talk to people every day that literally have to choose between paying for rent, utilities, healthcare, and other basic expenses, and putting food on the table.”
“It is morally reprehensible that we live in the wealthiest nation in the world where one in six people are struggling to make choices between food and other basic necessities,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “These are choices that no one should have to make, but particularly households with children. Insufficient nutrition has adverse effects on the physical, behavioral and mental health, and academic performance of children. It is critical that we ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in America as they truly are our engine of economic growth and future vitality.”

The methodology incorporated into the 2010 study includes data collected from February through June, 2009. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank Food Bank conducted face-to-face interviews with 288 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with more than 59 agencies that provide food assistance.

Nationally, Feeding America collected quantitative and qualitative feedback from 61,000 face-to-face in-depth interviews with people seeking emergency food assistance and more than 37,000 agency surveys, making this study the largest, most-comprehensive ever conducted on domestic hunger.

USDA reported in November 2009 that an estimated 49 million people, including 17 million children, are at risk of hunger in this country. Hunger in America 2010 reinforces the dramatically increasing need for food assistance in the United States.

Among the key findings in the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank Food Bank report:

• 49% of the members of households served the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank are non-Hispanic white, 43% are non-Hispanic black, 4% are Hispanic, and the rest are from other racial groups

• 7% of the members of households are elderly.

• 53% of clients report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.

• 48% of households include at least one employed adult.

• 28.7% do not have access to health insurance.

• 58.2% have unpaid hospital or medical bills.

• 28.7% report they are currently receiving SNAP benefits.


The full national report is available on Feeding America's web site at Hunger in America 2010.
www.FeedingAmerica.org

Fredericksburg Area Food Bank – serving Planning District 16 that includes the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline and the city of Fredericksburg. The food bank secures and distributes more than 3.0 million pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 80 local charitable agencies, operating more than 160 programs including emergency shelters, food pantries, Club Kids after school snack programs,, Food for Life senior feeding programs, and soup kitchens. Last year, the food bank provided food assistance to more than 40,000 individuals in Planning District 16, including more than 19,000 children and 2,800 seniors. For more information on the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, please visit the other pages on our Web site.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,068 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago.

For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.


Contact Information:
Oya Oliver, Executive Director
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
540.371.7666 or Cell 540.424.1730