Hunger affects communities all across the country. According to the USDA, nearly 49 million people in America are uncertain of where they will find their next meal.

Hunger Facts

• In Washtenaw County, 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 6 children struggle with hunger.

• On average, Food Assistance Program benefits only last 2.5 weeks.

• Families with children have dramatic rates of food insecurity (92%) with parents frequently saying they skip meals and make portions smaller to make food last longer.

• Households receiving services have extremely low incomes: 85% report incomes of less than $500 per month per household member and 40% are not in the workforce, often living on fixed incomes due to age or disability.

• In 2008, Food Gatherers learned that less than 13% of the people served by our emergency food network ate the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables; only 47% of households used food stamps.

• People living in poverty in Washtenaw County face a much higher likelihood of having high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity.

• Food Gatherers distributes more than 5.6 million pounds of food to a network of more than 150 local community programs serving our neighbors in need.

• More than 43,900 people, including more than 14,000 children and 6,500 seniors, receive emergency food each year through Food Gatherers’ network of emergency food pantries and meal sites.

• Food Gatherers Community Kitchen serves more than 100,000 plates of healthy food to hungry people with the help of 1,500 volunteers.

It’s time to face the facts and speak out against hunger. For more information about how you can make a difference, contact Food Gatherers at (734) 761-2796 or visit their website.
Source: Food Gatherers