Maryland Food Bank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    CONTACT:    Audra Harrison
February 2, 2010                                                           410-737-8282 x230
                                                                                       aharrison@mdfoodbank.org 

Key Study Reveals More Marylanders Seeking Emergency Food Assistance
Hunger in America 2010 shows 26,000 more receiving emergency food since 2006  

BALTIMORE—A landmark study released today by the Maryland Food Bank and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, reports that more than 261,000 people in the Maryland Food Bank’s service area receive emergency food each year, an 11 percent increase since 2006. Of those, 71,514 are under the age of 18. The study, Hunger in America 2010, was based on interviews with more than 400 network partner agencies in the Maryland Food Bank’s service area. It is the fifth comprehensive study of hunger in the United States conducted by Feeding America, with the last study completed in 2006. 

Since the last Hunger in America study, 81 percent of food pantries, 73 percent of soup kitchens and 67 percent of emergency shelters reported an increase in the number of people turning to their emergency food programs.  

Maryland Food Bank CEO Deborah Flateman released the following statement:

“Maryland is facing a 26-year high in unemployment and a national recession that is forcing more Marylanders than ever before to turn to emergency food programs,” Flateman said. “While Maryland consistently ranks at the top of the list for wealthiest states, the number of those facing hunger continues to grow. Food is among our most basic human needs that an unprecedented number of Marylanders are at risk of going without. This is a stark picture that will require a collective effort to turn around.” 

Key findings in the study:

Among all clients served by emergency food programs of the Maryland Food Bank, 61 percent are food insecure—defined as limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. 

Among households with children, 60 percent are food insecure. 

Many clients report having to chose between food and other necessities:

• 32 percent report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities.
• 25 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage.
• 24 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
• 34 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for transportation.
• 21 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for gas for a car. 

Of those receiving emergency food assistance, 27 percent of the members of households are children under 18 years old, 36 percent of households include at least one employed adult and 63 percent have incomes below the federal poverty levels during the previous month.  

As many as 93 percent of food pantries, 92 percent of soup kitchens and 73 percent of emergency shelters use volunteers, with 80 percent of pantries and 55 percent of kitchens relying entirely on volunteers.  

Hunger in America 2010 was based on in-person interviews and completed questionnaires from Maryland Food Bank partner agencies. Not included in the study are many other types of programs including children’s programs and senior citizen outreach. 

For more information on Hunger in America 2010, click here.

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