The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank reports that the need for emergency food assistance is at an unprecedented level and is still rising. High unemployment levels and an increased demand for food have led to an increase in the number of agencies served by the Foodbank to meet this need. As a result, more people are being served due to community support.

Unemployment continues at high levels, as six of the eight counties served by the Foodbank had unemployment levels at 10% or higher in July according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Foodbank is reporting an overall increase of 11.6% in 2009 in the number of people served at hunger relief programs. One alarming statistic is households with children receiving food at pantries has increased by 19% in 2009 over the previous year. A study released earlier this year by Feeding America, the national foodbank network, further reinforces the impact of hunger in children by reporting that Ohio has the 3rd highest rate of childhood food insecurity for children under five in the U.S. Food insecurity is defined as living in hunger or at risk of hunger.

As more individuals have sought emergency food, a record number of charities have joined the Foodbank to fight hunger on the front lines. Over the last twelve months, an additional 56 agencies, a 16% increase, have joined the Foodbank, surpassing 400 total agencies for the first time in the history of the Foodbank. A shift in demographics is also occurring within the Foodbank’s member agencies as two agencies in Tuscarawas County, Journey’s End Ministries and the Greater Dover New Philadelphia Food Pantry, have received the most food distributed by the Foodbank through the first half of 2009. Agency distribution has historically been led by agencies in Stark and Summit counties.

“These statistics signal two significant trends,” said Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “We are distributing food to more agencies than we ever have, providing more opportunities for people in need to be fed. Unfortunately, due to the current economic circumstances we also are feeding many more people who did not need assistance at this time last year. These are hard times.”

The Foodbank relies on local community support. Individuals and businesses can respond to rising demand for emergency food by supporting the Foodbank at the annual Taste of the NFL gala at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday, September 29. Visit the Foodbank website at www.akroncantonfoodbank.org
to receive details about the event and additional information to help feed
people in need.

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The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is a non-profit organization committed to ending hunger by providing food and other essential products to more than 400 community organizations that operate food pantries, hot meal sites and other hunger relief programs in Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. In 2008, the Foodbank distributed over 16 million pounds of food, providing 11.5 million meals locally for people in need.