Is there really a need for emergency food?
Unfortunately, yes.
It’s no exaggeration.
About 40 million U.S. residents—more than one in eight of our neighbors—receive food aid. One study determined that 25% of all households with children are likely to experience hunger or food insecurity. And that number goes up to over 30% in households with single parents.
Think of it this way: If you’re standing in a line in your community, one of the eight people around you has probably struggled with hunger. And if your child is in a class of 28 people, 7 of their classmates may not be sure where their next meal is coming from. It’s shocking.
Why are so many of our neighbors hungry?
It’s not because there’s a shortage of food. Studies show that America produces twice as much food as we need in order to feed everyone in our country.
So what’s the problem?
Poverty. Many of our neighbors simply can’t afford to buy enough food—even when they’re working. Feeding America reports that at least 1/3 of all American families who get help with food have one or more people working. The result is heartbreaking: “A growing number of people have to make difficult choices about what to spend their dwindling dollars on.”
Major U.S. hunger relief organization, Feeding America says:
- “More than 46% of our clients report having to choose between paying for utilities or heating fuel and food.”
- “39% said they had to choose between paying for rent or a mortgage and food.”
- “34% report having to choose between paying for medical bills and food.”
- “And 35% must choose between transportation and food.”
There’s a silver lining. Hidden in these alarming statistics is one bit of very good news: If 40 million Americans are “food insecure,” then about 285 million Americans are not.
This means that there are plenty of people who can afford to offer a little help. Not everyone, of course…but more than enough to make a huge difference. You may be one of them.
And that’s what the Thurston County Food Project is all about.
Is there really a need for emergency food?
Unfortunately, yes.
It’s no exaggeration.
About 40 million U.S. residents—more than one in eight of our neighbors—receive food aid. One study determined that 25% of all households with children are likely to experience hunger or food insecurity. And that number goes up to over 30% in households with single parents.
Think of it this way: If you’re standing in a line in your community, one of the eight people around you has probably struggled with hunger. And if your child is in a class of 28 people, 7 of their classmates may not be sure where their next meal is coming from. It’s shocking.
Why are so many of our neighbors hungry?
It’s not because there’s a shortage of food. Studies show that America produces twice as much food as we need in order to feed everyone in our country.
So what’s the problem?
Poverty. Many of our neighbors simply can’t afford to buy enough food—even when they’re working. Feeding America reports that at least 1/3 of all American families who get help with food have one or more people working. The result is heartbreaking: “A growing number of people have to make difficult choices about what to spend their dwindling dollars on.”
Major U.S. hunger relief organization, Feeding America says:
- “More than 46% of our clients report having to choose between paying for utilities or heating fuel and food.”
- “39% said they had to choose between paying for rent or a mortgage and food.”
- “34% report having to choose between paying for medical bills and food.”
- “And 35% must choose between transportation and food.”
There’s a silver lining. Hidden in these alarming statistics is one bit of very good news: If 40 million Americans are “food insecure,” then about 285 million Americans are not.
This means that there are plenty of people who can afford to offer a little help. Not everyone, of course…but more than enough to make a huge difference. You may be one of them.
And that’s what the Thurston County Food Project is all about.