December 8, 2009 · Texas Public Radio continued the KSTX Town Hall series with a solutions-based conversation on hunger issues affecting the surrounding community.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of Americans who are food insecure rose to 49 million in 2008, the largest number since the government began tracking such data. “Food insecurity” refers to those who do not have adequate access to the basic food intake for the energy and nutrients necessary to lead fully productive lives.
Once again, Texas leads the nation in the number of food insecure households at 16.3 percent, or over 8 million households. The largest increases in food insecurity across the nation were seen in Hispanic households.
The KSTX Town Hall on hunger engaged the community in a conversation about how hunger impacts our community and how to reduce the numbers of households in the region that do not have adequate access to food.
Panelists
Eric S. Cooper — Executive Director, San Antonio Food Bank Celia Hagert —Senior Analyst, Center for Public Policy Priorities Patti Radle — Inner City Development Steve Saldaña — Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.
Hunger Facts
In 2007, 36.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 23.8 million adults and 12.4 million children. The number rose to a record 49 million food insecure Americans in 2008. [Source: Feeding America]
In 2007, households with children reported food insecurity at almost double the rate for those without children, 15.8 percent compared to 8.7 percent. [Source: Feeding America]
In Bexar County, roughly one quarter of the population is potentially eligible to receive Food Stamp assistance, yet less than half actually participate in the program. [Source: San Antonio Food Bank]
The rate of children living in poverty in Texas is 22.1%; the national rate is 17.0%. In Bexar County, the rate is 29.7% - that means that one in three children most likely struggle with food insecurity. [Source: San Antonio Food Bank]
Each week, approximately 25,000 people receive emergency food assistance from an agency in the San Antonio Food Bank network. [Source: San Antonio Food Bank]
Point, Click, Feed: Web Boosts Food Banks' Efficiency
November 24, 2009 · Food banks and soup kitchens get a lot of attention — and donations — this time of year. But it's keeping their shelves stocked after the holidays that those who feed the hungry worry about most. -more-
Food Insecurity Reaches Highest Level Since 1995
November 16, 2009 · Here's another sign of just how much harm the Great Recession has done to many families in the U.S. The U.S. Agriculture Department reported the percentage of families in the U.S. in 2008 nation that had trouble getting adequate food hit the highest level since the department began tracking the number in 1995. -more-
Report: More Americans Face Hunger
November 17, 2009 · The government released figures Monday showing that a record number of Americans faced food insecurity in 2008. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 49 million people lack the access to food that they need. -more-
Broader Strategy Urged To Combat Hunger In U.S.
November 17, 2009 · Just one day after a federal report revealed that 1 in 7 U.S. families struggled to get enough to eat last year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged lawmakers to reauthorize school nutrition programs that help feed the nation's schoolchildren. -more-
Book Has Road Map to Fight Hunger
November 13, 2009 · A new book focuses on success stories in fighting hunger. Jeff Tyler reports some of the solutions are obvious while also overlooked. -more-
Shopping Is Not a Snap With Foodstamps
July 31, 2009 · Food stamps help thousands of families in need. But to get the most of out of them you need some smart shopping strategies. Reporter Jeff Tyler follows one woman who's become very savvy at navigating the food benefit system. -more-
Meals on Wheels Needs More Than Faith
April 24, 2009 · The need for charities and programs that provide food and shelter is growing, but donations are down. Kai Ryssdal reports on a privately-funded Meals on Wheels program in Los Angeles that's hungry for help. -more-
Special Series: Hunger in America
November 21, 2005 · NPR takes an in-depth look at hunger issues in the United States in this special series that aired in 2005. Reports took a look at hunger in the suburbs and urban areas and looked at underlying causes on why a growing number of Americans were becoming food insecure. -more-
Hunger Resources
Local & Regional Resources
San Antonio Food Bank: The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) is a non-profit organization that serves as a clearinghouse by receiving and storing truckloads of donated food, produce, and other grocery products. SAFB distributes these items in manageable quantities to approximately 440 service agencies that help people in need.
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas: The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas (CAFB) currently provides food and grocery products to more than 350 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties.
Texas Food Bank Network: The Texas Food Bank Network unities food banks affiliated with Feeding America Network in Texas, fostering and facilitating cooperation between food banks themselves as well as food banks and statewide resources; particularly state government.
Meals on Wheels of San Antonio: Meals on Wheels, through volunteers and staff, delivers a hot nutritious meal to homebound seniors.
Salvation Army San Antonio Metropolitan Command: Since 1889, The Salvation Army in San Antonio has worked diligently providing a wide array of services to those in need in keeping with our mission statement.
Federal & State Resources
USDA Food & Nutrition Service: USDA program that oversees the Food Stamp Program, School Meals, WIC, TEFAP and more nutrition services.
Texas WIC (Department of State Health Services: WIC is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and help accessing health care are provided to low-income women, infants, and children through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program, popularly known as WIC.
Congressional Hunger Center: A nonprofit anti-hunger training organization founded by former Rep. Tony Hall and located in Washington, D.C.
Other Resources
Feeding America: Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.
S.T.O.P. Hunger (Sodexho Foundation): Committed to ending hunger in the United States by fighting its root causes, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.
November 24, 2009 · Food banks and soup kitchens get a lot of attention — and donations — this time of year. But it's keeping their shelves stocked after the holidays that those who feed the hungry worry about most. 
November 16, 2009 · Here's another sign of just how much harm the Great Recession has done to many families in the U.S. The U.S. Agriculture Department reported the percentage of families in the U.S. in 2008 nation that had trouble getting adequate food hit the highest level since the department began tracking the number in 1995. 
November 17, 2009 · The government released figures Monday showing that a record number of Americans faced food insecurity in 2008. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 49 million people lack the access to food that they need. 
November 17, 2009 · Just one day after a federal report revealed that 1 in 7 U.S. families struggled to get enough to eat last year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged lawmakers to reauthorize school nutrition programs that help feed the nation's schoolchildren. 
November 13, 2009 · A new book focuses on success stories in fighting hunger. Jeff Tyler reports some of the solutions are obvious while also overlooked. 
July 31, 2009 · Food stamps help thousands of families in need. But to get the most of out of them you need some smart shopping strategies. Reporter Jeff Tyler follows one woman who's become very savvy at navigating the food benefit system. 
April 24, 2009 · The need for charities and programs that provide food and shelter is growing, but donations are down. Kai Ryssdal reports on a privately-funded Meals on Wheels program in Los Angeles that's hungry for help. 
November 21, 2005 · NPR takes an in-depth look at hunger issues in the United States in this special series that aired in 2005. Reports took a look at hunger in the suburbs and urban areas and looked at underlying causes on why a growing number of Americans were becoming food insecure.