![]() ![]() In 2023, the 200% Federal Poverty Level for a single person is $2,265 of income per month. To be eligible for SNAP benefits from the government or to access Feeding America-affiliated food distribution, a person has to meet the threshold of 200% poverty. One of my greatest frustrations working in the food security space is that not all people with food insecurity can access programs designed to combat food insecurity. This is food insecurity and the people who are experiencing it are our parents and grandparents, our children’s classmates, our neighbors in every neighborhood, and people who are working full-time but are underpaid. We heard about folks cutting fresh fruit out of their grocery list because the price was just too high. Almost every story started with the statement “We are doing okay but…” Usually, this statement was followed by a description of an unexpected life event–a health emergency, the need for vehicle repair, or an accident. Pennington Life Center last June, we heard so many stories from real people who were struggling to feed their families. When we started doing produce distribution at the William N. ![]() So often, hunger in a community goes unnoticed. To meet the food needs of households in our community, it would cost $1,517,000 in additional food spending. I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time that I ate a meal that cost less than $4 per portion. That food insecurity comes despite the low average price per meal in this county of $3.32. In the latest study, Feeding America identified that 11.5% (over 2800 people) of Churchill County residents are food insecure. In addition to providing support to food bank networks in every state, Feeding America conducts an annual Map the Meal Gap study to gauge the level of food insecurity and food costs in every county of the United States. Some folks struggle to afford enough food to put their children to bed at night with a full belly or skip meals to ensure that their food doesn’t run out before they have money to buy more.įeeding America is a non-profit with a nationwide presence that aims to remedy the hunger crisis in our country. ![]() There are so many in our community who do not have the same ability. The ability I have to fully satiate my hunger at any given moment is a privilege. What we are doing when we prepare tasty and nutritious meals is satiating hunger. ![]()
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