The Food Bank for Monterey County

The Food Bank for Monterey County, a certified Feeding America food bank, is the largest supplier of emergency food in Monterey County. We distribute 6 million pounds of food annually.

The national image of our area is one of wealth and beauty. Yet poverty and food insecurity exist in the “Salad Bowl of the World.”

The challenge is great and we strive to meet it on a daily basis.

You can help us in our campaign to end hunger by donating, volunteering, or advocating.

HUNGER IN AMERICA 2010: LOCAL DATA JUST RELEASED

HUNGER IS EPIDEMIC IN MONTEREY COUNTY
ONE-FIFTH OF POPULATION RECEIVES FOOD ASSISTANCE

FOOD BANK FOR MONTEREY COUNTY
NOW SERVES 88,700 DIFFERENT
MONTEREY COUNTY RESIDENTS ANNUALLY

SALINAS, February 3, 2010–– According to the study results released today from “Hunger in America 2010,” an estimated 88,700 different people are now served annually by the Food Bank for Monterey County—one-fifth of Monterey County’s population. Every week the Food Bank serves approximately 10,800 people. The last hunger study, conducted in 2005, reported 55,300 different people served annually and 4,900 weekly.

In the Recession, the Food Bank Serves Double the Number of People

Hunger is not a new issue, but it now has a new story. As the unemployment rate continues to climb (22% in Salinas), thousands who never dreamed they would need help from a food bank are now for the first time unable to put food on the table, in the wake of the recession’s layoffs, lost savings and other financial hardships. Other key findings from “Hunger in America 2010” include:

• 37% of all served are children under 18 years old
• 12% are 5 years old and younger
• 4% are elderly
• 42% include households with at least one employed adult
• 19% are homeless
• 84% are food insecure

They Choose between Food and Other Necessities

• 48% choose between paying for food or utilities
• 50% choose between food and paying rent or mortgage
• 40% choose between food and medical care
• 38% choose between food and transportation

Hunger in America 2010,” a nationwide joint project with feeding America and Mathematica Policy Research, is the latest comprehensive profile of the incidence and nature of hunger and food insecurity in the U.S. It is the fifth such study conducted by the Feeding America network, and it is done every four years.

“The Food Bank for Monterey County’s Hunger 2010 Study results show more children in crisis, and more working people who cannot afford to put food on the table and pay their bills. Now more than ever your partnership is needed to make the best use of time and resources to continue to meet the increasing demand for assistance. With your help we can respond to our community’s needs and insure that no one in Monterey County goes hungry,” states Food Bank for Monterey County Executive Director Leslie Sunny.

Download the Hunger Study (PDF) here.