Hunger & Poverty in America: How You Can Help
According to FeedingAmerica.org:
State Statistical Brief: NY Food insecurity rate 13.5% Child food insecurity rate 22.4% Population 19,423,896 Poverty rate 13.8% Child poverty rate 25.0% Unemployment rate 8.4 %
According to WorldHunger.org:
“Three years after the onset of the financial and economic crisis, hunger remains high in the United States. The financial and economic crisis that erupted in 2008 caused a dramatic increase in hunger in the United States. This high level of hunger continues in 2010, according to the latest government report (with the most recent statistics) released in September 2011 ( Coleman-Jensen 2011 ).
In 2010, 17.2 million households, 14.5 percent of households (approximately one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v.) In 2010, about one-third of food-insecure households (6.7 million households, or 5.4 percent of all U.S. households) had very low food security (compared with 4.7 million households (4.1 percent) in 2007. In households with very low food security, the food intake of some household members was reduced, and their normal eating patterns were disrupted because of the household’s food insecurity (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v., Nord 2009 , p. iii.) . In 2010, children were food insecure at times during the year in 9.8 percent of households with children (3.9 million households.) In one percent of households with children,one or more of the children experienced the most severe food-insecure condition measured by USDA, very low food security, in which meals were irregular and food intake was below levels considered adequate by caregivers (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. vi).”
As seen on The Doctor Oz Show: ” Share Our Strength® is a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America.
Share Our Strength’s goal is to end childhood hunger in America. Working with others, we believe we can do this by 2015.
It’s not enough to make sure America’s children have enough to eat; we must make sure they are getting the nutrition they need to live healthy, active lives.
That is why Share Our Strength’s highest priority is to make sure that every child in America gets the nutritious food he or she needs to learn, grow and thrive. We are doing this by improving the access that families all across the country have to healthy, affordable food and by working at the state and city level. This is our No Kid Hungry strategy, and it has four key components that, together, provide children with the nutritious food they need where they live, learn and play:
Creating public-private partnerships at the state and city level to map out comprehensive, measurable plans to end child hunger in those areas. Building public awareness about the problem of childhood hunger and solutions to end it. Investing in communities with grants to organizations whose work improves access to nutritious foods or that educate families about such programs. Educating children and families about nutritious, affordable eating.
We measure our progress by measuring participation in effective, existing programs that provide nutritious food to children at home (SNAP, or food stamps, WIC, and nutrition education), during school (breakfast and lunch, and through nutrition education) and when school is out (afterschool snacks and summer meals).
You can be part of Team No Kid Hungry, and have a hand in reaching our goal. Make a donation or take the No Kid Hungry Pledge.”
Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry: Meeting the Hunger for Food and the Thirst for Community
“The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is an affiliation of faith-based congregations dedicated to providing supplemental food to persons in need in the greater Mount Kisco area. We are committed to creating a healthier and stronger community. Our volunteer efforts respect the dignity of those we serve and are an expression of the spiritual mission of our member institutions.
The Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry (MKIFP) is a charitable alliance of twelve churches and synagogues dedicated to fighting hunger in the greater Mt. Kisco, New York, area. We are a “choice pantry,” meaning that clients can choose select the food items that best meet their needs, and are open 48 weeks of the year. Volunteers help recipients select from an array of fresh vegetables, eggs, canned goods, dry foods and frozen meets. Distributions are held at the United Methodist Church, 300 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY. The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is a member agency of The Food Bank for Westchester and the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless.” People to People, Inc.- Rockland County, NY: What We Do – Food Pantry “Helping our neighbors through difficult times with dignity.
People to People provides groceries to low-income families and seniors who are having difficulty meeting their basic nutritional needs. We are Rockland County’s largest Food Pantry and the only Rockland pantry with 2,500 square feet of warehouse space, walk-in refrigerators and walk-in freezers. In 2008, we fed more than 20,000 Rocklanders. In 2009, that number climbed significantly to 38,631. Our recipient families receive a supply of meat, poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, other food staples and personal hygiene items. In addition, they can select gently-used clothing from the Dress Barn Clothes Closet. Baby items and housewares are also available to PtoP clients. In addition, PtoP refers our clients to other support services and organizations that can help these families overcome the long- term challenges they face.
How To Help
Every day, thousands of your neighbors in Rockland County struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs. Your help can bring immediate relief and hope to a hungry family. Make an online donation. Donate food, please click here for our shopping list. Where Your Money Goes People to People uses yours gifts effectively and efficiently: nearly 90% of your donation goes directly to service programs. People to People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so your gift is tax-deductible and you’ll receive a tax receipt for your contribution.”