LIVE: Arkansas Foodbank

In 2009, the Arkansas Foodbank took part in a landmark Feeding America hunger study. Foodbank staff members conducted face-to-face interviews with 445 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with 239 agencies that provide food assistance. Here are the key results from the study.

Key Findings of the Arkansas Hunger in America 2010 Report
Through its network of 400 member food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other agencies in 33 counties in central and southern Arkansas, the Arkansas Foodbank serves 166,200 different individuals every year - or 23,000 Arkansans per week
The number of Arkansans served each year the Foodbank and its agencies has increased 11% since Hunger in America 2006
35% of the members of households served by the Arkansas Foodbank are children under 18 years old
8% of the members of households served are elderly
27% of the households served include one or more working adults, an increase from 23% in 2006
78% of those served live on incomes below the Federal Poverty Level
52% of clients served by the Arkansas Foodbank report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel
39% had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage
21% of clients served report that that they or someone in their household do not have access to health insurance.
60% of clients report that they or someone in their household have an unpaid medical or hospital bills.
27% of seniors served by the Arkansas Foodbank face very low food security - or hunger.
41% of client households served by the Arkansas Foodbank receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps) benefits