Hunger Statistics for Grand Traverse County:
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
- The number of people living in poverty in the Grand Traverse area has grown by 28% in the last five years.
- There are now 13,287 people (31%) in the Grand Traverse area living below the poverty level.
- More than 4,149 children younger than 18 in the Grand Traverse area live in poverty.
- 1 of every 4 children in the Grand Traverse area lives in poverty and is thus at high risk of hunger and under-nutrition.
- The poverty level at 100% is $21,200 for a family of four (2008 figures). This equates to an hourly wage of $10.19.
- In 2008, the Northwest Food Coalition, which provides food to the 37 recipient agencies in the area, reported a 39% increase in meals served (196,822) over the previous year. Sadly, they expect the need to continue to increase throughout this year.
- America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s association of food banks and food rescue organizations, defines the level of “food insecurity” at 185 percent of the poverty level.
Hunger in America 2005, a study commissioned by America’s Second Harvest, shows that: 95% of individuals and families served by food rescue agencies have to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities; 82% must choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
In The United States:
- According to the USDA, hunger remains a pervasive problem in the United States with more than 35 million Americans, including 12 million children, living on the brink of hunger.
- Children in over one-quarter million households experienced hunger in 2005.
- Michigan is one of 25 states that exhibit higher food insecurity rates (11.5%) than the national average (11.4%).
- About 70% of people seeking emergency food assistance are living below the federal poverty line; nearly 40% have at least one adult working in their household.
- 70% of clients are living in food-insecure households.
- Approximately 4.5 million different people receive emergency food assistance from the A2H system in any given week.
Click here to learn more about the Hunger in America study.
To learn how you can donate funds now, click here.
Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
2279 South Airport Road W. Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone (231) 995-7723 Fax (231) 922-2053
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