12 Facts About Hunger in the USA

HUNGER FACTS:

12 Facts About Hunger in the US:
After you learn something, do something! Join the Blues Against Hunger Society to help fight hunger
1. In 2015, 14.5 million or approximately 20 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty.
2. 1 in 6 people in America face hunger.
3. The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2011, households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children: 20.6% vs. 12.2%.
4. Food insecurity exists in every county in America. In 2013, 17.5 million households were food insecure. More and more people are relying on food banks and pantries. Collect food outside your local supermarket for a local food bank. Sign up for Supermarket Stakeout GL.
5. 49 million Americans struggle to put food on the table.
6. In the US, hunger isn’t caused by a lack of food, but rather the continued prevalence of poverty.
7. More than 1 in 5 children is at risk of hunger. Among African-Americans and Latinos, it’s 1 in 3.
8. Over 20 million children receive free or reduced-price lunch each school day. Less than half of them get breakfast, and only 10% have access to summer meal sites.
9. For every 100 school lunch programs, there are only 87 breakfast sites and just 36 summer food programs.
10. 1 in 7 people are enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Nearly half of them are children.
11. 40% of food is thrown out in the US every year, or about $165 billion worth. All of this uneaten food could feed 25 million Americans.
12. These 8 states have statistically higher food insecurity rates than the US national average (14.6%): Arkansas (21.2%), Mississippi (21.1%), Texas (18.0%), Tennessee (17.4%), North Carolina (17.3%), Missouri (16.9%), Georgia (16.6%), Ohio (16.0%).
  *Sources - https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-hunger-us
If you wish to help fight hunger, join the BAHS; with your help, we may continue producing food drive blues concerts, Join The Blues Against Hunger Society.

WHAT TO DONATE:

Some examples of non-perishable foods include peanut butter, crackers, canned fruits, canned vegetables, dried fruits and powdered milk. Canned meats, such as tuna, salmon, turkey and chicken, are non-perishable foods that are excellent sources of protein. Canned soup and chili adds variety to an emergency food supply.

Examples of donated non-perishable food include peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, prepared dinners, canned tuna, cold drinks, powdered milk, coffee and tea, canned soups and stew.

WHERE TO DONATE:

We always accept non-perishable food donations at any BAHS event; which will be placed in collection barrels provided in advance by the local food bank.
The Feeding America Food Bank Database will help you find your communities local Food Bank or Pantry - http://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank/

DONATION GALLERY
OUR PAST BLUES FOOD DRIVES

Blues Against Hunger in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The photo is of the Caritas charity collecting donations. This one event, held at Strokers Reef was a huge success and fill the back of a small commercial truck.

A signed THANK YOU sign to Blues Against Hunger for the community of Maneadero, Baja California. The events was held in Punta Banda, and donated the this community with the help of Patty Rodriguez. circa 2015

Bring Out The Barrels at the Alameda Yacht Club! These folks are generous and they know how to party. Wonderful supportive bunch. The Alameda County Food Bank was terrific and provided Blues Against Hunger with collection barrels a couple days in advance, which really works out great. circa 2014