Alabama Hunger | National Hunger

These are the faces of hunger.
35% of those seeking emergency food had to choose between paying rent and buying food. " Nearly every one of us is just two paychecks away from financial crisis." -Richard Goebel, St. Paul Food Bank One in four people in a soup kitchen line is a child 'It's criminal that we live in a country that will allow a child to go hungry." -Alabama Schoolteacher

Who is Hungry in Alabama?

The growth of the Alabama Food Bank network is directly related to the growing number of hungry people in Alabama. More than 810,875 Alabama residents live below the federal poverty level. The numbers are staggering, but the Food Bank network is committed to the fight against hunger. There are many other persons who are just above the poverty threshold. Often referred to as the "working poor," they have a difficult time meeting financial obligations and are highly vulnerable to unemployment, illness and other unexpected events that can create financial havoc.

13% of Alabama's population is "food insecure." This means they are not assured of being able to obtain a nutritionally adequate diet from non-emergency channels. Over 12% of Alabamians receive food stamps. The benefit level equates to about 79 cents per meal. 25% of Alabama's seniors live below the poverty level. Studies show that requests for food assistance by the elderly have risen by nine percent over the past year. The U.S. Bureau of the Census released data which showed, despite a strong economy, poverty failed to decline, and the average income of the poorest 1/5 of the state's population continued to fall.

National Focus

One in four people in a soup kitchen line is a child.

Low-paying jobs, unemployment and employment-related problems lead the list of causes for hunger, although 38% of the adults requesting food assistance were employed. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1997) " There's just nothing left at the end of the month. We try to pay for everything, and our tithes to the church, because that's what we should do, but sometimes it's a question of, 'do we get medicine or food?'" Ruth, Louisiana Senior. " If It wasn't for the food pantry, we would starve at the end of the month. We pay the rent and utilities first, and from then on it's a day-to-day existence." Stanley, disabled caretaker. 28% of those seeking food assistance have missed meals in the last month because there wasn't enough food. 9% of clients' children have missed meals in the past month.