|
|
HUNGER GROWING AMONG AMERICAN
FAMILIES IN WAKE OF ECONOMIC CRISIS By Dan Verderosa www.politics3.com 1/17/
2010 Familiar headlines during the past year have told the public
that although the US economy is showing signs of recovery, unemployment remains high at around 10 percent. Receiving less
attention, however, is the increased demand at food banks nationwide, an indicator of how the American public is fairing in
the uncertain economy. And the indications are not positive—the need for assistance is increasing and food banks and
soup kitchens are struggling to meet demand. In short, hunger is growing in America.
The US Department of Agriculture
(USDA) warned of an impending hunger crisis in 2008, when it released a 2007 study that found there were 36.2 million Americans—including
12.4 million children—who were food insecure, a staggering number that represented approximately 11.1 percent of US
households. At the time, US hunger-relief group Feed America warned that the study, completed before the 2008 financial crisis,
did not take into account its effects on American families and that the number of food insecure was likely to grow. Today,
the USDA reports that 49 million Americans—roughly 14.6 percent of US households—lack secure access to food, a
4.5 percent increase from the previous year and the most since the department began keeping track of food insecurity in 1995.
Many of the newly food insecure are senior citizens. From 2006 to 2008, the number of seniors receiving food assistance
nearly doubled from 225,000 to 408,000. Catholic Charities USA has reported a 54 percent increase in requests from seniors
over the past year.Such seniors normally depend on pensions, Social Security and savings to pay expenses. Some also work part-time
jobs, but the economic downturn and accompanying rising unemployment has largely cut off that lifeline.
Additionally,
many of those seeking assistance from food banks and pantries are doing so for the first time. Feeding America reports that
a surge in new people seeking assistance is contributing to the rise in demand for emergency assistance. Newsday reports that
one food pantry in Chicago that serves around 500 people per week has received an average of 50 new people signing up for
assistance per week since February 2009. Many such newcomers have been recently laid off or had their wages decrease. And
many are even embarrassed to need assistance. Elizabeth Donovan, a director at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, was quoted
in Newsday saying of such newcomers, "Some dont have the coping skills, theyve never been in this situation. Asking for
help is difficult."
Perhaps most notable about the current food crisis is that it affects one in four children.
According to the latest USDA report, almost 17 million children live in food insecure homes, up from 4 million children last
year.
The USDA report also cites poverty as the principle cause of hunger in the US, a problem which has been exacerbated
by the economic downturn and high unemployment (national unemployment remains at its November peak of 10 percent). Even in
New York, where unemployment has been lower than the national average (the state unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in November),
the number of emergency meals served increased by 55 percent.
While unemployment is largely to blame for the increased
demand facing food banks, rising prices have compounded the problem. Interestingly, while consumer prices overall have increased
over the past year, food prices have remained mostly level. Prices of other basic necessities, however, have seen large increases.
Energy prices, in particular, have burdened households, rising 7.4 percent over a six-month period from Nov. to May.The effect
of energy prices is reflected in the number of individuals participating in the National School Lunch Program, which provides
free or reduced-price school lunches to children from families in need. Participation in the program increases in winter months
when demand for home heating oil is up and decreases in spring when demand falls back down.
The New York City area
has been particularly hard hit by the hunger crisis. According to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH), demand
for emergency food supplies in New York City increased 20.9 percent in over last year.In 2009, demand rose by 93 percent in Queens and 89 percent in Brooklyn.The report also states that aid organizations have been
better able to meet the new demand. The federal stimulus package increased funding for food assistance nationwide, and funding
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) increased nearly $3 million from last year.
However, despite
government assistance, The Long Island City / Astoria Journal reports that about 60 percent of food pantries and aid organizations
in both Queens and Brooklyn have been unable to meet such high demands. Charitable giving fell 2 percent last year, and a
survey of charities conducted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy indicates that giving could fall by as much as 9 percent this
year. Finally, according to a Feeding America report cited in a press release from Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (D-N.Y.), about
half of food banks nationwide surveyed in October reported a shortfall of resources.
"Food bank shelves have
gone bare, and hunger and food insecurity have reached disturbing, historic highs. We need to make sure were helping New York
children and families who were hit the hardest by this economy," said Gilibrand.
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.)
introduced a bill (S.2805) in November that would double funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and making
the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive permanent in order to promote food donations from businesses. The bill, supported
by Sen. Gilibrand, would increase spending on emergency food to $500 million and is currently being considered by the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
ADVERTISEMENTS - PLEASE SUPPORT
OUR SPONSORS
 
|
|
|
