According to a recent study, child food insecurity affects all eight counties served by the South Michigan Food Bank.
Feeding America’s annual “Map the Meal Gap” study, released on May 14, found that 34,070 children, or 17.9% of all children in the South Michigan Food Bank’s coverage area, are food insecure. The organization serves Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, and St. Joseph counties.
The South Michigan Food Bank is part of the Feeding America network, which serves every county in the United States.
The study, now in its 15th year, provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district.
It builds on the USDA’s recent report, which showed that 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in more than a decade.
“Leveraging the data in this year’s study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify local ways to support our community,” Peter Vogel, CEO of the South Michigan Food Bank, said. “Hunger remains an urgent crisis in South Michigan. When we listen to people facing hunger and use the study’s findings, we can unite in our efforts to create a future where everyone, including children, has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.”
The study highlights that food insecurity impacts communities in every county, parish and congressional district in the U.S.
Nearly nine out of 10 high food insecurity counties are rural.
In South Michigan, 15.1% of all residents (131,510) and 17.9% of children (34,070) served by the South Michigan Food Bank are food insecure.
Statewide, 15.4% of all individuals are food insecure.
Federal programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are the federal response to the defence against hunger.
However, the study estimates that 63% of individuals experiencing food insecurity may not be eligible for these benefits.
The study emphasises the need for the public to join the movement to end hunger.
To learn how food insecurity impacts your community or for information on how to help end hunger, go to smfoodbank.org.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team.
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