Research

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank continues to work as the safety net for the hungry in the region.  Last year the food bank distributed over 3.8 million pounds of food to people in need.   We know that the economic crisis continues to cause more people than ever to turn to the food bank for help.
• Since the beginning of the recession in 2008, food shelf use in this region has increased by over 20%. 
• More than 40% of the members of households coming for assistance are children under 18
• 45% of households have at least one employed adult
• Many clients report having to choose between food and other necessities:
o 44% report having to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage
o 45% had to choose between paying for food and paying for gas for a car

Children are particularly vulnerable in this recession.
• We know that when children don’t receive adequate nutrition, particularly under the age of five, the long-term damage on their cognitive development cannot be restored. 
• Hungry children perform poorly in school because they can’t concentrate.  They tend to have lower math scores, are twice as likely to repeat a grade and three times as likely to be suspended from school. 
• Children lacking adequate nutrition are more likely to experience headaches, stomach aches, ear infections and colds.