A new study, Food Banks: Hunger’s New Staple, released today by Feeding America finds that many Americans are relying on food pantries for a staple of food rather than emergency situations.
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The study found emergency food from pantries is no longer being used to meet temporary acute food needs – instead, for the majority of people seeking assistance, food pantries are now part of households’ long term supplement to lack of food.
"This study confirms what our Partner Agencies are experiencing throughout the region," said David Davenport, chief executive officer, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, "What was once a short-term emergency food assistance system has now become a means of survival for over 11,000 families, children and seniors per week."
Among the key findings of the report are:
More than one third of all people visiting food pantries or 36% report having used a food pantry at least every month within the past year.
Clients are reporting that they have used a food pantry for more than 28 consecutive months, on average.
A majority or 54% of people visiting food pantries have used a food pantry for at least six months or more during the past year.
To read more information about this study visit www.feedingamerica.org/HungersNewStaple.