CLEVELAND — We talk a lot about food insecurity at News 5, and here's why. She said one in seven people in the area served by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank don't know where their next meal is coming from.
That means your neighbors and friends are likely food insecure and you may not even realize they're struggling.
The Ohio Food Bank Association's 2023 Statewide Hunger Survey found that two-thirds of the households it serves have adults eating less or no meals at all. It turned out that there was. Two-thirds had to choose between food and transportation at some point. Another two-thirds were forced to choose between food and paying their utility bills, and more than half chose between food and health care.
According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate for minors in Cuyahoga County alone is 26%, and Summit County is not far behind, with a child food insecurity rate of 20%, and the needs of families here are sometimes dire. This is a situation.
The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank is facing a record no one wanted to reach. An estimated 3 million people visited food pantries this year. This is 1 million more people than in 2020.
Dan Flowers, CEO of the food bank, said there has been a 16% increase in the amount of food distributed and a 28% increase in the number of people waiting in long lines and going to food pantries for food. .
In response to the many needs in our community, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is expanding its summer feeding program this year. The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank is also seeing a growing need.
“We're here to serve, but we'd like to see this number go down,” said Jessica Morgan, chief program officer at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. .
Morgan said the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is expanding its summer feeding program to all six counties it serves for the first time ever. Last year, the program served 5,000 children, and Morgan expects 500 more to participate this summer.
“Last year we had about 100 sites, this year we will have about 125,” Morgan added. “So the need definitely exists.”
Last year, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank served more than 400,000 total households and is already on track to surpass that number in 2024.
“We track this number every month, and each month we provide more services than we did during the same period last year,” Morgan said.
The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank has also seen a 30% increase in family visits and expects that rate to rise even more during school holidays.
“As the cost of living rises and more families need support, we started seeing significant increases last spring, and unfortunately they continue to increase this year,” said Vice President Katie. Claver-Reid said. , Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.
If students don't have access to free breakfast and lunch, they're missing out on fewer than 10 meals a week. Morgan wants parents to know…local food banks are helping. Cleveland's summer feeding program begins June 3rd.
“If parents would like more information about where the closest program is to their home, please call our Help Center at 216-238-2067.”
To learn more about our Summer Feeding Program, click here. As the Cleveland Food Bank ramps up its efforts, we need more volunteers. To learn more about volunteering, click here.
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