Foodlink is participating in a national study of the charitable response to domestic hunger by Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Hunger in America 2009 is an independent research study conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., on behalf of the national network of food banks. As part of this effort, Foodlink has been surveying 550 member agencies and over 400 clients served by local emergency food programs in the 10-county service area in Central and Western New York. The study will provide insight into the national, state, and local issues surrounding emergency feeding and the challenges the network is facing to meet this need.
Hunger in America 2009 is the fifth national hunger study conducted by Feeding America and its member food banks and food rescue organizations across the country. The 2006 study totaled over 52,000 personal interviews with individuals who received food assistance as well as 31,000 social service agency employees across the country. The results of the 2006 study also concluded that over 1/3 of those served by the Foodlink network are children. 5% of those served are elderly on a fixed income. 34% of households include at least one employed adult- working families who can’t make ends meet
Foodlink has had community volunteers assisting in conducting over interviews with the belief that knowledge will help us find solutions to the problem of hunger. By capturing hundreds of personal stories, the Hunger Study leads to important insight into the needs of our community and confirms the important role food banks and the emergency food network play in meeting the growing needs of our neighbors. Look for the results scheduled to come out this fall!