| Hunger in America 2005 is the fourth national study of charitable response to domestic hunger. The first three studies sponsored by America’s Second Harvest were conducted in 1993, 1997 and 2001. Hunger in America 2005 is a further expansion of those earlier projects and will be one of the largest and most innovative studies of this type ever undertaken.
Like the previous studies, the current study serves as an authoritative source of information on private, domestic hunger relief. The data we collected will help inform the public and policy makers about the magnitude and scope of the hunger problem in the United States.
Key findings for New Hampshire:
- 28% of the members of households served by the NHFB are children under 18.
- 13% of the members of households are elderly.
- 35% of households include at least one working adult.
- 55% have incomes below the federal poverty level
- 68 % are food insecure.
- 42% must choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
- 45% had to chose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
- 72% of food pantries, 54% of soup kitchens and 24% of shelters reported an increase in the number of clients who visit their emergency food programs.
- Food Banks are by far the most important source of food for the the agencies, accounting for 46% of the food used by pantries, 28% of soup kitchens' food, and 32% of shelter's food.
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