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Summary Results of Local Impact Survey

Conducted Late April – Early May 2008

  • 99% (98.89%) of food bank respondents stated that they have experienced an increase in the number of clients served within the past year.  Food banks cite as contributing factors:
    • 92.78% the rising cost of fuel
    • 91.67% the rising cost of food
    • 46.11% mortgage or rent issues
    • 43.33% rising unemployment
    • 42.22% rising underemployment
    • 31.11% the inadequacy of food stamps
  • The increase in the number of clients is estimated at 15% to 20%.
  • 81.11% of surveyed food banks have indicated that they are currently unable to adequately meet the demand without having to reduce the amount of food or their operations.
    • 54.79% stated that their agencies already have or are considering reducing the amount of food offered to clients.
    • 48.63% of these food banks already have or are considering reducing the variety of food offered to agencies.
    • 45.21% of these food banks responded that they already have or are considering diverting budgeted funds from other areas to purchase food.
    • 43.84% of these food banks stated that they already have or are considering reducing the amount of food offered to agencies in order to meet demand.
    • 27.4% of these food banks responded that some of their agencies already have or are considering reducing the number of new households they will serve.
    • 13.7% of these food banks responded that they already have or are considering reducing or suspending programs and services offered.

> Local results reports from member food banks are available.