When it comes to fighting hunger right here in our own country no other organization tops Feeding America. Feeding America reaches more than 37 million people facing hunger in the United States each year. Of those 37 million plus, 14 million are hungry children and three million are elderly. Food insecurity is highest in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina. Economically times have been hard and while some states struggle more than others hunger is an issue nationwide. What is important to note, is that not all hungry people are homeless. Oftentimes, hardworking, responsible individuals struggle with making ends meet and they are forced to make choices that leave them with little money for food.
Feeding America has been around for more than 30 years. Once called America’s Second Harvest, Feeding Hunger took on its new name in 2008. The organization changed its name to better convey the mission of the group to the general public. The mission of the group is to end domestic hunger by educating the public and creating awareness on the topic.
There are many import facts about hunger that the average person is unaware of. For instance, many people don’t know that the nearly 5 percent of American households sought emergency food assistance in 2009. In 2009, the rate of children in America who reported being food insecure doubled and nearly 8 percent of seniors that lived alone reported being food insecure. The fact is, 1 in 6 Americans is struggles with hunger related issues.
Feeding America is operational in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It distributes an astounding 2.5 billion pounds of food and groceries each year. The product is distributed through a network of 61,000 local charitable agencies and 70,000 programs that serve individuals in need. Weekly Feeding America serves roughly 5.7 million hungry people.
