The need.

Emergency food box distribution reached an all-time high

Distribution of emergency food boxes throughout the OFB Network increased 14 percent, from 786,000 in 2007-08 to 897,000 in 2008-09 — an increase of more than 111,000 additional emergency food boxes.
A typical emergency food box provides a three- to five-day supply of groceries. Most food pantries serve a specific geographic area and limit the number of times a family can receive help. Most households seek emergency food boxes only one to three times each year.

More people seek emergency food

More than 240,000 people per month ate meals from emergency food boxes. That compares to about 200,000 in 2007-08 — a 20 percent increase.
3.8-million emergency meals were served at soup kitchens and shelters.
And 96,000 people received food through other programs in the OFB Network.

Who is hungry?

46 percent of households receiving emergency food had at least one working member.
36 percent of those receiving emergency food are children.
Households with children are the largest group served. Children who are hungry have more difficulty learning in school and have a higher risk for health problems later in life.
Most adult emergency food recipients are working, unemployed, underemployed, retired or disabled.
Agencies continue to see new faces … people seeking help for the first time in their lives.