Millions Still Hungry in America

Record Number of Americans Depend on Food Banks This Holiday Season

CHICAGO – November 8, 2006 – While many of us are planning for Thanksgiving gatherings with friends and family, millions of our neighbors will be making decisions between turkey and basic necessities like heat, rent or medicine. In fact, more than 38 million people, including nearly 14 million children, in the United States are living on the brink of hunger, uncertain where their next meal will come from. That’s more than the population of the 30 largest cities in this country combined.

Since 1999, the number of Americans in need of food assistance has been on a steady climb and as the numbers have risen, the face of hunger in America has also changed. More and more of the 207 food banks and food rescue organizations in the America’s Second Harvest Network are serving employed mothers and fathers whose monthly food stamps run out after two and a half weeks, children seeking an after-school meal to ensure they don’t go to bed hungry at night or a grandmother who must choose between dinner and medical care.

“Hunger is a harsh reality in this country that reaches into every community,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America’s Second Harvest — The Nation’s Food Bank Network. “Fortunately, hunger is also a solvable problem and whether you have one dollar to give or one hour to share everyone can be a part of the solution to end hunger in America.”

With recent news of the US populations reaching the milestone 300 million mark, the release of these statistics signal that more than 1 in 10 Americans (nearly 13 percent of the domestic population) face hunger. “While the holidays tend to amplify the problem of hunger in America, the need is truly year round,” added Escarra. “I encourage every American to take action and support their local America’s Second Harvest Network Member any way they can.”

To find a food bank near you or for more information on how you can be a part of the solution to end hunger in America visit www.secondharvest.org or call 800.771.2303.

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Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest — The Nation’s Food Bank Network as well as staff, clients and volunteers are available for interview.

America's Second Harvest — The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org.

Contact:
Ross Fraser / Maura Daly
Fraser cell: 312.307.8470
Daly cell: 301.943.373