The Northland’s Hungry

Today in America over 37 million people* live in food insecure households – 14 million are children and 3 million are seniors. But it’s not just a national problem. Hunger exists right here in the Northland.

In fact, over 600 people per day** receive food from a Northland food shelf or soup kitchen.

Right here in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin:

Eleven percent (11%) of our population, or 36,048 people, live in poverty***
Twelve percent (12%) of people are food insecure
Thirty-two percent (32%) of households utilizing food shelves and soup kitchens report at least one working adult in the home making an average wage of $8.39 per hour****
Thirty-eight percent (38%) of those receiving food from food shelves are children****
Food shelf use among children has increased thirty-nine percent (39%) in the last five years
Food shelf use among seniors has quadrupled in the last five years

Fortunately, by rescuing surplus food from national and local retailers, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers and restaurants, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank provides a solution to hunger right here in the Northland.

    *USDA, Household Food Security in the United States, 2006
   **Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, Monthly Agency Service Statistics, 2007
  ***US Census Bureau, Population and Poverty Statistics, 2003
****Hunger Solutions Minnesota, The State of Hunger in Minnesota, 2006

“We have been on a single income for two years now, having our oldest daughter on your Mother and Children program has helped us tremendously.”
- Dee

“My 7-year-old daughter has cancer and we have several medical bills to pay and not much extra money for food – we really appreciate your help.”
- Michele

“Social security just doesn’t stretch far enough, your program helps keep food in the house.”
- Allan