Study Reveals an Unprecedented Number of Americans Seeking Emergency Food Assistance

	NEWS RELEASE 8201 South Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78745 (512) 282-2111 FAX: (512) 282-6606 www.austinfoodbank.org
For Immediate Release February 3, 2010 For more information: John Turner Senior Director of Marketing and Branding Office: 512-684-2528 Mobile: 512-636-1497 jturner@austinfoodbank.org jturner@austinfoodbank.org

Study Reveals an Unprecedented Number of Americans Seeking Emergency Food Assistance Largest, Most Comprehensive Report Ever Conducted On Emergency Food Distribution Reports 64 Percent Increase in Clients Served Annually since 2006 Report Austin, Texas — A landmark study to be released Wednesday, February 3 by Feeding America and Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, reports that more than 37 million Americans, including 14 million children, receive emergency food each year through the nation’s network of food banks and the agencies they serve. The findings represent a 64 percent increase since the findings reported in Hunger in America 2006. The Hunger in America 2010 study is the first research study to capture the significant connection between the recent economic downturn and an increased need for emergency food assistance. The number of children and adults in need of food has significantly increased since the previous study in 2006. LOCAL FINDINGS: Key findings from the Hunger in America 2010 : Central Texas Report include: 1 in 3 of our clients is a child. 82% of our clients are not homeless. Almost half of our clients have at least one working adult at home. Almost half of the families we serve had to choose between buying food and paying utilities. 1 in 5 families we serve experienced the physical pain of hunger. More than 1/3 of our older-adult clients go extended periods without food. A summary of the local findings will be available at www.HungerIsUNacceptable.com STARTING FEBRUARY 3 AT 9:30 A.M. The full national report will be available at the same time on Feeding America's web site at Hunger in America 2010. The methodology incorporated into the 2010 study includes data collected from February through June, 2009. The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas conducted face-to-face interviews with 354 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with more than 257 agencies that provide food assistance. Nationally, Feeding America collected quantitative and qualitative feedback from 61,000 face-to-face, in-depth interviews with people seeking emergency food assistance and more than 37,000 agency surveys, making this study the largest, most-comprehensive ever conducted on domestic hunger. An estimated 5.7 million people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by one of Feeding America’s more than 200 food banks, including Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. This is a 27 percent increase over numbers reported in Hunger in America 2006, which reported that 4.5 million people were served each week. “With knowledge comes responsibility,” said David Davenport, CAFB President & CEO. “A rising number of our neighbors are seeking emergency food assistance and are forced to make choices between food and other basic necessities, such as utilities, rent and medical care. This is unacceptable. Hunger is unacceptable.” “It is morally reprehensible that we live in the wealthiest nation in the world where one in six people are struggling to make choices between food and other basic necessities,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “These are choices that no one should have to make, but particularly households with children. Insufficient nutrition has adverse effects on the physical, behavioral and mental health, and academic performance of children. It is critical that we ensure that no child is at risk of going to bed hungry in America, as they truly are our engine of economic growth and future vitality.” USDA reported in November 2009 that an estimated 49 million people, including 17 million children, are at risk of hunger in this country. Hunger in America 2010 reinforces the dramatically increasing need for food assistance in the United States. About Capital Area Food Bank of Texas The mission of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. In its 29^th year of service, the Food Bank currently provides food and grocery products to more than 350 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. In 2009, CAFB distributed more than 23 million pounds of food. For more information on the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas and its programs, visit www.austinfoodbank.org or call 512/282-2111. About Feeding America Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,068 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. ###