Food Bank of the Southern Tier releases 2010 hunger report

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier recently released its 2010 Hunger in America Study, in collaboration with Feeding America.  The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is based in Elmira, NY, and serves six counties, including Tompkins.  The organization offers help and accepts volunteers and donations.

According to the study's local statistics:
-25% of clients are experiencing very low food security -- hunger, in other words.
-Nearly 11,000 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
-About 1 out of 8 people in the six-county region are seeking food assistance, and almost one third of those receiving help currently hold or have held managerial positions.
-More than half of households with children who sought help had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities/heating fuel, and had to choose between food and gas for a car.

The data was collected from February through June, 2009. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier conducted face-to-face interviews with 276 people seeking emergency food at 38 sites, including food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with 144 agencies that provide food assistance.