THE FACE OF HUNGER
During these times of economic uncertainty, hunger and the threat of hunger is growing in Colorado. Feeding America estimates that more than 37 million Americans seek emergency food assistance in a single year. Finding ways of reducing food waste in our country and Colorado can help bring food to the tables of those in need.
More than 12 million children under the age of 18 in the United States are food insecure—unable to consistently access adequate amount of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. More than 3 million under the age of five are food insecure.
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS COLLECTED THROUGH HUNGER IN AMERICA 2010
- 31% of households served by WE DON’T WASTE food bank partner agencies include children under 18
- 36% of households include at least one employed adult.
- 74% had incomes below the official federal poverty level of $16,600 during the previous month.
- 46% of clients served by WE DON’T WASTE food bank partner agencies chose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
- 28% had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage bill or for medical care.
- 32% of total clients served by WE DON’T WASTE’s partner agencies have one household member in poor health.
WHY WE DON’T WASTE
- Denver’s struggling families and individuals are served high quality, nutritious food.
- Meals and food unused by caterers, venues, restaurants, supermarkets and food suppliers do not go to waste.
- The food contributed helps reduce the food costs of Denver’s community-based non-profit agencies and to relieve budgetary shortfalls experienced by these organizations.
- Soft goods, including towels and personal hygiene items that provide needed basics to the underserved are distributed rather than being discarded.