Who Are the People Using United Way Funded Services
My response was "look in the mirror...they look like you and me."
That has always been the case. It is even more evident now because the numbers being served by our funded programs have increased so dramatically and when those numbers come from all segments of the Lorain County population and demographics. This is especially true in those services having to do with basic needs such as hot meals, shelter, and emergency type assistance.
The need for food, which is addressed by Second Harvest Food Bank, offers a prime example.
In service results already reported to the government and shared with the community, their 2006 comprehensive Hunger Study referenced disconcerting feedback from consumers who shared the circumstances which led them to a pantry, shelter, or hot meal program. In order that the degree and intensity of the need could be categorized and the challenges confronting people could be put in their starkest terms, the information gathering survey used "degrees of hunger".
Food security means people have access to enough food for an active, healthy life: (1) the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and (2) an ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.
Food insecurity means limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited and uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. Food insecurity with hunger means the involuntary state of not being able to afford food resulting in prolonged absence of food that produces discomfort, weakness, and pain.
My reading on that last Survey data has:
- 78% of all Second Harvest Food Bank clients being food insecure
- 36% being food insecure with hunger
- 28% of those being served being under 18 years of age and 6% being under 5 years old
- Combine that with the fact that among all households with children, 75% are food insecure with 42% of those experiencing hunger.
Distressing data indeed! Especially when choices people are required to make get factored into an eat-no eat dilemma:
- 39% of those served have to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel
- 39% have to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage
- 30% have to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care or medicine
- 46% of programs having to turn clients away due to lack of food to distribute
A recent conversation with Second Harvest Executive Director, Juliana Chase-Morefield indicates that the next collection and analysis of data will be even more alarming. She reports that during this year's second quarter there has been a 20% increase in individuals needing assistance . This represents 5,000 people a week with 45% of those being children under 18 years of age and 11% being age 60+. This means that at the current rate Second Harvest will distribute 4 million pounds of food. In comparison, distribution in 2005 was 2.6 million pounds.
However, that 4 million pounds is predicated on food donations and other support, both of which are challenged by today's economics. Which is why this year's United Way campaign is so important to those in need and why our theme "Live United" is so relevant. That theme is our challenge to ourselves and to the community to do all we can to address the critical needs in the community, none being more critical than food.
It is a challenge that must be looked straight in the eye. One that can not be dodged. As I told the gentleman who asked about the kinds of people being served by United Way funded services: "Look in the mirror". In hunger's case that is people we know, people who never thought they would be in a hot meal line, people who have more month left than money or no money at all.
As printed in The Chronicle-Telegram 10/13/08
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