The facts about hunger in Utah and in the U.S.

tags: charity, hunger in the U.S., hunger in Utah, Online Giving

uPlej had a meeting with the UTAH FOOD BANK this morning and what a great experience. Great people such as Jim Pugh, Janeal Ford and Jessica Pugh (who facilitated the meeting) are making a huge difference in the lives of the needy in Utah.

We all have heard knowledge is power. Read the statistics below and you’ll see why we need to all be concerned for the hungry people of our Country.

Utah hunger facts:

• Currently 1 in 10 Utahns live in poverty. A family of four living in poverty makes just over $20,600 a year to cover health care expenses, shelter, food and other household expenses (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003).
• Utah is ranked 5th in the nation for the highest rate of food insecurity. More than 345,700 individuals are at risk of missing or skipping a meal due to a lack of resources (US. Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States, 2006).
• Over 134,000 Utahns receive food stamps, which are not even half of those who are eligible (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005).
• In Utah, over 63,000 people a month eat dinner at a soup kitchen (Utahns Against Hunger, 2006).
• 1 in 8 children in Utah live in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2005 Annual Social and Economic Supplement).

Statistics Reference

U.S. Hunger Facts:

• In the United States, 11.7 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.

• 35.5 million people—including 12.6 million children—live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (10.9 percent). ¹
• 4.0 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day. 11.1 million people, including 430 thousand children, live in these homes.¹
• 6.9 percent of U.S. households are at risk of hunger. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. 24.4 million people, including 12.2 million children, live in these homes.¹
• Research shows that preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger.
  

Statistics Reference

Do something today that will make a difference in the lives of the hungry. I will, I promise!

Jeff Crane @ August 27, 2008