In early 2009, the Greater Chicago Food Depository conducted an extensive research study, referred to as Hunger in America 2010, in conjunction with Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Nationwide, an estimated 37 million people living in the United States rely on food and grocery assistance provided by network food banks and food rescue organizations. In Cook County, it is estimated that nearly 678,000 people each year rely on emergency and supplemental food sources, as provided by the Food Depository and our member network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Key Findings:
- 37% of clients are children.
- 34% of households include at least one employed adult.
- 47 percent of clients reported having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel -- a 6 percent increase since the last study.
- 88% of food pantries reported seeing more clients now than in 2005.
- Nearly 29% of food pantries reported turning clients away in the past year.
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Published by
- Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest)
- Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
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- Copyright 2010 Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest). All rights reserved.
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