Latest news with #MaptheMealGap
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA summer food insecurity — Local food bank aims to keep kids fed while out of school
As schools close for the summer in Northwest Pennsylvania, food insecurity becomes a pressing issue for many families. While summer is typically a time for children to enjoy a break from school, it poses challenges for parents struggling to provide meals that their children would normally receive at school. Erie County Library presents HistERIE Week as way to celebrate local history According to Feeding America's annual study 'Map the Meal Gap,' one in five children in Northwest Pennsylvania is food insecure. This statistic underscores the importance of summer feeding programs. 'It's a large number, it's a concerning number,' said Gregory Hall, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA. Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA is committed to addressing this issue by expanding its summer feeding programs. The food bank partners with schools and school districts to provide food assistance during the summer months. Gregory Hall explained, 'The way the programs work, we partner with schools, school districts in all of the counties that we serve. We work with them to get the backpacks to the kids in need in the summer and a lot of our partner schools have school food pantries as well.' St. George playground to become recreational park Food insecurity during the summer can lead to mental health problems, language and motor skill issues in young children, and academic regression. The food bank serves 11 counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania and has recently expanded its programs in Crawford, Forest, and McKean counties. Gregory Hall noted the challenges of rising grocery prices and limited access to food, stating, 'It's a two-fold problem. One is the costs and increases that we've seen over the past 5 or 6 years for grocery prices. The second we see is access. We talk about food deserts and maybe there's only one retailer in a region that folks can get food from.' Families in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Second Harvest's food help line for more information on available programs. Contact the Food Help Line at (814) 459-3663, ext. 117. Their team is able to assist in locating the nearest available program and to answer any questions they may have. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Niagara County seeing an increase in food insecurity
Food insecurity has increased in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in the past year, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. The latest results of the annual Map the Meal Gap study show that Niagara County's overall food insecurity rate has reached 13.3%, up from 12.6% in 2022. Among Niagara County's children, 19% face a lack of sufficient food, compared to 17.9% in 2022. 'When you tell me it's 19% for children — most school districts now are providing free meals,' said Major Tom Duperree of the Salvation Army of Lockport, which operates a food pantry and soup kitchen with groceries from FeedMore WNY and other donors. 'So it's evening time for the children because they're being fed in the daytime hours. It's alarming to me.' Duperree, who stocked shelves in the Salvation Army's food pantry Wednesday, has seen demand for the organization's meals and pantry items increase. But there's a new dimension to hunger developing with children. 'Late last year, I remember a high school teacher coming here, and there were two students,' he said. 'The parents had said to both of these children, 'Because you have a part-time job after school, you're no longer getting fed here.' One of the teachers took the lead in bringing the students down here to learn to navigate the food pantry.' According to Denyel Beiter, spokesperson for the Lockport City School District, all district students receive free breakfast and lunch through the US Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision. Beiter said the district was approved for the program because its poverty rate is over 60%. Mark Laurrie, superintendent of Niagara Falls City School District, said the study's findings of a 6% increase in food insecurity was not a surprise. 'I think that's conservative.' He said 82% of Niagara Falls students use the district's free breakfast and lunch program. Laurrie said announcing a snow day on a Friday is one of the hardest decisions he makes because he knows children will go without food all weekend. 'Abate Elementary has 650 kids, and does 86 backpacks for each weekend,' he said of filling bags with food for children. 'In every one of our elementary schools, we have a backpack program for the weekend,' Laurrie said. 'In our middle schools and high school, we have a food pantry and our social workers are taking kids to that pantry.' Since 2021, the number of people relying on FeedMore WNY, a hunger relief organization, increased by 46%. The need for supplemental food is driven by high grocery store prices, job loss, and increases in other costs, FeedMore said. 'These are community members of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, including families working multiple jobs trying to make ends meet, older adults surviving on fixed incomes, people living with disabilities, and children,' Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In FeedMore WNY's service area, 34% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP and 26% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Duperree said Salvation Army clients frequently describe how their budgets are too tight to meet all their living expenses. 'Their rents have gone up so high, in such a short period of time, that by the time they pay their rent, the resources they have left over is barely enough,' he said. 'A recurring story at Salvation Army is that 'if it weren't for the meal I get here if it weren't for the food pantry, I wouldn't be able to make ends meet.' ' 'It's tough enough for the adults, but the childhood factor is just very concerning,' Duperree said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Niagara County sees an increase in food insecurity
Food insecurity has increased in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in the past year, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. The latest results of the annual Map the Meal Gap study show that Niagara County's overall food insecurity rate has reached 13.3%, up from 12.6% in 2022. Among Niagara County's children, 19% face a lack of sufficient food, compared to 17.9% in 2022. 'When you tell me it's 19% for children — most school districts now are providing free meals,' said Major Tom Duperree of the Salvation Army of Lockport, which operates a food pantry and soup kitchen with groceries from FeedMore WNY and other donors. 'So it's evening time for the children because they're being fed in the daytime hours. It's alarming to me.' Duperree, who stocked shelves in the Salvation Army's food pantry Wednesday, has seen demand for the organization's meals and pantry items increase. But there's a new dimension to hunger developing with children. 'Late last year, I remember a high school teacher coming here, and there were two students,' he said. 'The parents had said to both of these children, 'Because you have a part-time job after school, you're no longer getting fed here.' One of the teachers took the lead in bringing the students down here to learn to navigate the food pantry.' According to Denyel Beiter, spokesperson for the Lockport City School District, all district students receive free breakfast and lunch through the US Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision. Beiter said the district was approved for the program because its poverty rate is over 60%. Mark Laurrie, superintendent of Niagara Falls City School District, said the study's findings of a 6% increase in food insecurity was not a surprise. 'I think that's conservative.' He said 82% of Niagara Falls students use the district's free breakfast and lunch program. Laurrie said announcing a snow day on a Friday is one of the hardest decisions he makes because he knows children will go without food all weekend. 'Abate Elementary has 650 kids, and does 86 backpacks for each weekend,' he said of filling bags with food for children. 'In every one of our elementary schools, we have a backpack program for the weekend,' Laurrie said. 'In our middle schools and high school, we have a food pantry and our social workers are taking kids to that pantry.' Since 2021, the number of people relying on FeedMore WNY, a hunger relief organization, increased by 46%. The need for supplemental food is driven by high grocery store prices, job loss, and increases in other costs, FeedMore said. 'These are community members of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, including families working multiple jobs trying to make ends meet, older adults surviving on fixed incomes, people living with disabilities, and children,' Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In FeedMore WNY's service area, 34% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP and 26% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Duperree said Salvation Army clients frequently describe how their budgets are too tight to meet all their living expenses. 'Their rents have gone up so high, in such a short period of time, that by the time they pay their rent, the resources they have left over is barely enough,' he said. 'A recurring story at Salvation Army is that 'if it weren't for the meal I get here if it weren't for the food pantry, I wouldn't be able to make ends meet.' ' 'It's tough enough for the adults, but the childhood factor is just very concerning,' Duperree said.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Study: New Mexico ranks 4th in the nation for childhood hunger
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A recent study shows children in New Mexico are more at risk of hunger than almost anywhere else in the country. Roadrunner Food Bank said they are doing all they can, but are worried about potential federal funding cuts that help put food on tables. According to Feeding America's 2025 Map the Meal Gap national study, New Mexico places 4th in the nation for childhood hunger. Roadrunner Food Bank said the data is similar to years past. According to the study, 1 in 6 people in the state, and 1 in 4 children, are food insecure. 'There is plenty of food in this country. There is plenty of food in this state. There is plenty of food to feed everyone who needs it. It is access that is the problem,' said Communications Manager for Roadrunner Food Bank Jimmy Himes-Ryann. Story continues below Trending: Rio Rancho High baseball player accused of urinating in water jug no longer faces charges News: VIDEO: Albuquerque man accused of killing 14 dogs denies accusations Environment: Researcher explains why earthquakes are rattling parts of New Mexico Access is what Roadrunner is working to improve. The food bank worries about potential cuts to SNAP benefits. That's why they were in D.C. on Wednesday, testifying at a hearing to discuss SNAP benefits, raising concerns about potentially shifting the burden of paying for SNAP onto the states. The food bank worries about the potential need for more food bank services if fewer families have access to SNAP. 'Drastic cuts and changes to SNAP will cause hunger to grow at a exponential rate,' said Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank Katy Anderson at the hearing. 'It would mean more than tripling our current food distribution output simply to ensure comparable access to what is available today.' Roadrunner Food Bank said their services are especially important right now as children are on summer break and may be missing out on the only meal they depend on during the school day. 'The state of New Mexico provides around 300,000 meals to students who go to public schools in the state. The need in the summer is exceptionally high because a lot of students are getting that third meal at school exclusively,' said Himes-Ryann. According to the study, the counties with the highest rates of childhood food insecurity include Catron, McKinley, and Luna. To learn more about volunteering or donating, click this link. The KRQE Cares Food for Kids program also has donation bins at Smith's stores in the metro, where community members can drop off non-perishables, diapers, and more throughout the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Study shows an increase in child food insecurity in Cass County
Like nearly every county in in the United States, Cass County is affected by child food insecurity daily. According to a study released last week by Feeding America called Map the Meal Gap, about 1 in 6, or 18.1%, of children in Cass County are experiencing food insecurity. The numbers mirror Food Finders Food Bank's overall 16-county service area, which is about 1 in 5 children (20%). The service area includes Cass, Howard, Miami, Carroll, Fulton and Pulaski counties. '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,' said Kier Crites Muller, president/CEO of Food Finders. 'Hunger remains an urgent crisis throughout our 16-county service area. When we listen to our neighbors facing hunger and use the study's findings, we can unite to create a future where everyone, including children, can access the nutritious food they need to thrive. 'This mission becomes even more critical as threats to vital social safety net programs like SNAP, TEFAP, and Medicaid could worsen food insecurity for our most vulnerable populations, particularly children who rely on these essential services.' Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon USDA's most recent national and state data report, which showed 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in over a decade. Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the need for the public to join the movement to end hunger. 'Food Finders is thankful to our agency partners in Cass County for being an essential partner in the fight against hunger,' the press release said. 'Their determination and countless volunteer hours have a tangible impact on our communities.' Food Finders' partners in Cass County include: • Emmaus Mission Center ( 19 W. Richardville St., Logansport. Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 4 to 6 p.m. Wed. • Felix's Pantry, 410 W. Miami Ave., Logansport. Hours: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thurs. • Logansport Salvation Army ( 620 Wilkinson St., Logansport. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. • Trinity Episcopal Church, 319 Seventh St., Logansport. Hours: 3 to 5:30 p.m. on second and fourth Wednesday of month, or call 574-753-2733 for appt. Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: • Overall, food insecurity rates increased in Cass County, with 15.8%, or 1 in 7 residents experiencing food insecurity. • Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Cass County, 46% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP. • Food Finders serves communities with food insecurity ranging from 13% in Clinton County to 16.7% in Miami County. • Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Food Finders 16-county service area ranges from 14.2% in Clinton County to 23.4% in Howard County. • In Food Finders' 16-county service area, available data by race/ethnicity shows that 14% of white individuals, 33% of Black individuals, and 24% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2023. Map the Meal Gap used publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. To see more information and view the map, visit For more information about Food Finders Food Bank, visit
