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The Columbus Dispatch reported today on studies conducted locally and nationally regarding persons seeking emergency food.
The last comprehensive study on food emergencies was in 2005. Here are the new numbers.
People who received emergency food through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank in 2009 increased by 28 percent since 2005. Nationally the increase was 46 percent.
Of the 248,000 people who received help through Mid-Ohio last year, the food bank found that:
About 43 percent said they had to decide between making rent or mortgage payments or buying food – 48 percent more than in 2005. More than three-fourths – about 76 percent – of adult clients younger than 65 were unemployed…
…A growing number of adults who use pantries once had good jobs. About 18 percent of those seeking assistance said they had managerial or professional positions; in 2005, just 9 percent did.
Matt Habash, President of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank said many of those asking for assistance are former donors. He called the situation “alarming.”
Source: Number of people seeking emergency food help surges in central Ohio
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