How Many People Are Suffering from Poverty?

The most recent government data shows that 50.4 million people (16%) were in poverty, including 17 million children (33%) under the age of 18. 41.2 million people, including 6.5 million children, lived in households that lack the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis. As a result, they struggle with hunger at some time during the year.

Who Receives Food from Local Food Pantries?

Hunger and poverty often go hand in hand, but poverty is not the ultimate determinant of food insecurity. People living above the poverty line are often at risk of hunger, as well. Research demonstrates that unemployment, rather than poverty, is a better predictor of food insecurity among people living in the United States.

Midwest Food Bank serves non-profit organizations such as food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, churches, and other non-profit organizations helping their community. Each month, a certain amount of time is set aside at each location for distribution. During that period, organizations can come to pick up food from a Midwest Food Bank location which they then distribute to people in their communities. Our multiple locations across the globe allow many non-profit organizations and their volunteers to take part in daily food bank operations and scheduled distributions. Our numerous volunteers make all of this possible!

The Midwest Food Bank Leadership team is actively pursuing new opportunities to increase our impact.  New national and international locations are being considered; we are excited that we can expand our service areas to help the needy. As we serve and grow, we welcome partnerships that ensure success and continue to develop our own in-house programs that work to battle widespread hunger.

Together, with our partners and volunteers, we are able to achieve incredible goals. We believe that this work will prepare us for continued, successful service that will be required of us worldwide as demand continues to increase. Fighting food insecurity requires continuous growth and collaboration. Midwest Food Bank stands ready for the journey. With enthusiasm, we embrace our path toward the elimination of hunger.