3/20/24, 2:10 PM How we measure hunger in the United States | Feeding America

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How we measure hunger in GIVE IN HONOR

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September 16, 2021

by Ash Slupski

Hunger. Food insecurity. Charitable food

participation. What do these all mean?

There are many different numbers about how

the pandemic affected people's ability to
keep food on the table. It isn't easy to know
what these numbers mean and why they
matter.

Below, we break down how hunger in

America has changed since March 2020.

How many people

visit food banks?
In 2020, at least 60 million people in the United States turned to food banks, food pantries, and
other community food programs for help feeding themselves and their families. That's 1 in every 5
people.

How we got the number:

Since the pandemic began, the Feeding America network worked hard to feed as many
people as possible. Last year, we distributed more than six billion meals. In addition,
millions of our neighbors visited member food banks for the very first time.

But we know not everyone who gets help with food visits a food bank in the Feeding
America network. So, we worked with the Urban Institute, the US Census Bureau, and the
US Bureau of Labor Statistics to ask if people visited any free food program in the last 12

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months. Those responses reported that an estimated 60 million people received food
assistance from food charities.

How many people face hunger?

More than 38 million people—or 1 in 8—lived in food-insecure households in 2020. Food
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insecurity is the consistent lack of access to enough food to lead a healthy and active life.
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How we got the number:
GIVE TODAY
Every year, HUNGER OUR in AmericaTAKE
the USDA surveys households FINDrate
to determine the national A of HUNGER
IN AMERICA
food insecurity. WORKhow oftenACTION
The survey asked families they skipped mealsFOOD
to make BANK
food last BLOG
GIVE MONTHLY
longer or chose less nutritious food options because they were more affordable.
Unfortunately, many of our neighbors facing hunger make these choices to stretch their
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food budget. According to the most recent USDA report, 38 million people – including 12
million children - in the United States face hunger.

Why are these numbers different?

It may be confusing that the number of people visiting food banks and those facing hunger doesn't
match. But there's a simple explanation for the difference.

Together with our generous supporters, the Feeding America network responded to the hunger
crisis during the pandemic and successfully decreased the number of households considered food
insecure:

Food banks, food pantries, and food charities across the United States quickly
adapted to feed a record number of neighbors. They extended their hours, added
more food distributions, and offered safer options, like drive-thru pantries and home
delivery.

People donated money and volunteered to ensure these programs stayed open and
had enough resources to respond to the crisis.

Congress's bipartisan support strengthened federal hunger programs like SNAP and
Summer EBT and aided food banks with record-breaking meal distribution.

What can we do about these numbers?

We are at a pivotal moment. We proved that when our country works together, we can make real
progress in decreasing food insecurity.

Unfortunately, many of the successful responses to hunger during the pandemic are temporary.
Therefore, long-term support is critical to ending hunger. Here are three ways you can help:

Ask Congress to expanded federal programs like Summer EBT and the Child Tax
Credit. These programs make a real difference in families being able to afford food.
And these programs can cut child poverty in half!

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Donate to Feeding America and local food banks. Financial support is the most
efficient way to help us respond.

Volunteer at a food bank or meal program. Many food banks still need volunteers to
keep their programs running.

With your help, we can continue to be there for our neighbors facing hunger so that one day soon,
we can end hunger in America. Need Help
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