Feeding Indiana's Hungry, Inc.

Indiana Not at the Head of the Class for School Breakfast Participation

2012-02-03T16:35:00.000-05:00

Feeding Indiana's Hungry Urges State and Its School Districts to Prioritize Efforts to Increase Participation

Indianapolis, IN – School breakfast fights hunger and improves nutrition, but Indiana served only 44.5 low-income children breakfast for every 100 that received lunch through the National School Lunch Program during the 2010-2011 school year, according to a new national report released this week. While an increase from the previous school year occurred, when only 43.5:100 received breakfast, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry urges the State of Indiana and school districts to continue to build on the progress being made and make increased breakfast participation a priority for this school year and next.

The School Breakfast Scorecard, released annually by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), measures the reach of the School Breakfast Program nationally and by state. With a ratio of 45.5:100, Indiana is below the national average of 48 low-income children in breakfast for every 100 in lunch, and well below the goal of reaching 60:100. If Indiana reached this goal, 67,722 more low-income children would start the day with a healthy breakfast and the state would gain an additional $16,386,381 in federal child nutrition funding. Three states – New Mexico, South Carolina and Vermont – and the District of Columbia reach at least 60 students with breakfast for every 100 eating lunch, demonstrating that this is eminently achievable.

“Breakfast is proven to boost test scores, improve attendance and participation, and help children start their day ready to learn,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “With these proven educational benefits, we need to be examining the barriers preventing participation and looking at ways to erase them.”

States and schools have been successful in boosting participation with the adoption of breakfast in the classroom programs, which allow students to eat the meal at their desks at the beginning of the school day. In fact, the three top performing states and the District of Columbia, which all surpass the 60:100 goal have numerous schools operating strong breakfast in the classroom programs.

“Serving breakfast in the classroom is the most successful way to increase participation, and we encourage more schools to move to this model,” said Bryant. “Not only does breakfast reduce hunger and improve education, but it also contributes to better nutrition. Children who participate in school breakfast eat more fruits, drink more milk, and consume a wider variety of foods than those who do not eat school breakfast or who have breakfast at home.”

Nationally, participation in the School Breakfast Program grew to include 9.8 million low-income children during the 2010-2011 school year, an increase of 354,000 low-income children over the previous school year. Since the 2007-2008 school year, when the recession began, the School Breakfast Program has grown by 18.6 percent, serving an additional 1.5 million low-income children a healthy breakfast each day.

About the report:
The full report, School Breakfast Scorecard, is available at www.frac.org. To measure the reach of the School Breakfast Program nationally and in the states, FRAC compares the number of schools and low-income children that participate in breakfast to those that participate in the National School Lunch Program. FRAC also sets a participation goal of reaching 60 children with breakfast for every 100 receiving lunch as a way to gauge state progress and the costs of underparticipation in the program.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Out of Reach for Many Hoosier Residents

2011-12-15T13:26:00.001-05:00

New Report Shows 8.5 Percent of Households in Indiana Report Difficulty Accessing Affordable Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – December 15, 2011 –8.5 percent of households in Indiana reported difficulty accessing affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in the communities where they live, according to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. This is slightly above the national average of 8.2 percent of American households for the same 2008-2010 time frame of the study.

Much attention has been paid in recent years to whether Americans have adequate access to healthy food in their communities, and this new report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) sheds a light on such challenges in Indiana and across the nation.

Containing data down to the congressional district, FRAC’s report – A Half Empty Plate: Fruit and Vegetable Affordability and Access Challenges in America – analyzes the answers given by hundreds of thousands of survey respondents to a question posed by Gallup-Healthways: “In the city or area where you live, is it easy or not easy to get affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.” FRAC characterizes “not easy” answers as evidence of an affordability and access challenge.

In Indiana for the 2008-2010 time period, the report found:

8.5 percent of people in Indiana said they were unable to access or afford fresh fruits and vegetables. The rate for households with children was 9.3 percent.
For congressional districts in Indiana the rates ranged from a high of 11 percent to a low of 6.5 percent for all households. See table below.

Nationally, those with household incomes less than $24,000/year reported affordability and access challenges 2.5 times more frequently than those with incomes between $60,000 and $89,999. People who reported high rates of food hardship (an inability to afford enough food) also were more likely to say they had difficulty accessing affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in their communities. Among people reporting poor health status, the prevalence of fruit and vegetable affordability and access challenges was four times that of people reporting excellent health status (20.0 percent vs. 5.0 percent).

“A household’s ability to access healthy food hinges on having enough resources to do so. The fact that more than 200,000 Hoosier households indicate it was not easy to access affordable fruits and vegetables shows that many are struggling with this access and affordability problem, and that it is an economic challenge at the household level,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “Supporting families’ ability to purchase healthier food items is essential to solving this challenge. That includes efforts at the federal level to improve SNAP benefits so they go further, efforts at the state level to increase outreach so more people receive these benefits, and then efforts at the community level to increase the number of outlets offering healthy food and accepting SNAP benefits. Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and our member food banks also work with farmers, producers and retailers across Indiana to increase fresh produce available to our clients to provide additional access to healthy foods.”

The full report is available on FRAC’s website at http://frac.org/pdf/half_empty_plate_dec2011.pdf.

IN Congressional District All Households		Households with Children
1	7.7	7.4
2	8.9	10.2
3	8.2	8.4
4	7.5	7.6
5	6.8	7.3
6	11.0	11.5
7	8.5	10.7
8	9.6	10.9
9	8.4	9.3
Statewide	8.5 (28^th in the nation)	9.3 (27^th in the nation)

About the Report

A Half-Empty Plate contains the Food Research and Action Center’s analysis of survey data that were collected by Gallup. Gallup has been interviewing 1,000 households per day almost every day since January 2, 2008 for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project. People have been asked a series of questions on a range of topics including emotional health, physical health, healthy behavior, work environment and access to basic services. Specific to this report, people were asked, “In the city or area where you live, is it easy or not easy to get affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Reflections on the Food Stamp Challenge

2011-11-04T15:31:00.000-04:00

As my Food Bank Challenge comes to an end, I have a few reflections on the endeavor, and even more questions.

First, I was occasionally hungry throughout. I planned for snacks and fairly substantive meals that were not the most nutritious, but not terrible. This aspect was not miserable and not particularly disruptive in my daily routine, but I sit at a desk most of the day. If my job required more physical activity, I think I would have felt differently. I also wasn't working to feed my family and trying to budget accordingly for what that would entail. Our family has the luxury of regularly eating fresh fruits and vegetables, plus what I was eating would not necessarily have been amenable to my four year old's tastes! Eating this way in the long term wouldn't have been healthy--the sodium alone this week has to be more than my regular monthly intake!--and sacrifices would have to be made to incorporate more nutritious foods at the expense of more filling or easy to fix foods.

The second reflection I have had this week is that if I was hungry and didn't have other choices available to me, how on earth would I have been able to respond to hunger that my children would experience? Parents would do most anything to ensure their children are cared for. I know I would have forgone meals to make certain my children had enough because the impact of hunger on children can be devastating. Most parents who report not having enough report that they skip meals or take smaller portions, not their children, when it can be avoided. I want to run out and hug my kids right now just contemplating even the slightest inability to provide for them the basic necessities in life. My family is fortunate, but many are not. The physical and mental anguish of failing one's children must be debilitating in itself for parents facing food insecurity.

That brings me to the most poignant revelation I have had this week. A Food Stamp Challenge simulates voluntary hunger and the physical sensations associated with it. What it does not simulate is the uncertainty, worry, or fear of food insecurity. The USDA defines food insecurity to be when the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain. How can we simulate not only living on a very fixed income for food expenses, but what usually comes with it? The nagging worries of whether the family has enough to pay the utility bills. Juggling to afford both groceries and medication. Wondering if the next paycheck, or unemployment benefit check, will be coming. Experiencing lack of access to a decent grocery store because there isn't one nearby and there isn't adequate transportation to one. This is to say nothing of whether food, when it is secured, is fresh, healthy, and safe. Frankly that's a whole other conversation than just securing *enough* food.

So how do we translate this experience to policy makers who determine what programs are available to Hoosiers in need of any sort of assistance, be it food, utility, medical, or other needs? Just like this. I'll be sharing my experience with my elected officials. If you feel strongly about ensuring Hoosiers have enough food when 1 in 6 is food insecure and as many as 1 in 4 Hoosier children are at risk of hunger, then contact your leaders too. Only if we all speak up on behalf of those who are struggling, who don't always have the time to contact their elected officials because they're too busy trying to get by, will their concerns be heard.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry

Op Ed: Food Stamp Challenge to Readers: Find the Hunger in Your Community

2011-11-02T16:59:00.001-04:00

For Immediate Release: November 2, 2011
Media Contact: Emily Weikert Bryant, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, 317/452-9829

This week, I and many others across the nation have embarked upon a challenge to eat—and hopefully eat nutritiously—on $4.50 a day. We do so to draw attention to the record high of nearly 46 million Americans who do this daily, not as a measure of advocacy, but as a necessity. 13.8 percent of Hoosiers received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP)—previously called food stamps—in September, with an average monthly benefit of $132 per person. This equates roughly to $1.50 a meal. Who are these Hoosiers? Are they lottery winners or cheats defrauding the system? Maybe a handful of them. But the vast majority, the people who don’t make the news, are not. The USDA reports only 1 cent of every dollar spent for SNAP benefits is siphoned away to food stamp ‘trafficking’, or the selling of benefits for cash. The USDA still continues to strive to improve that rate by aggressively enforcing individual trafficking cases and implementing new technologies to catch fraud where it occurs. What is more impressive is that SNAP has a considerably higher accuracy rate than other major federal benefit programs, getting the correct benefits to those who need and qualify for them more than 96 percent of the time. Nearly one-fifth of errors are underpayments, resulting in eligible participants receiving less in benefits than they are eligible to receive.

So again, who are these Hoosiers? We know that one in six Hoosiers is at risk of hunger, and the number is even higher for children at one in four. This means that nearly 850,000 Hoosiers, and nearly 389,000 of them children, are unsure from where their next meal will come. Of these, only 45 percent qualify for SNAP benefits by the guidelines set for eligibility by the state, which is set at an annual income of about $28,700 for a family of four. The remaining Hoosiers at risk of hunger have too much income to be eligible, yet they still cannot consistently find enough quality, nutritious food. Nationally, 76 percent of SNAP participant households include a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person. These vulnerable individuals, for whom seeking employment is more than likely not an option, receive 84 percent of all SNAP benefits. And the rest? Indiana’s unemployment sits just under 9 percent. How are these folks stretching what income they have to cover their expenses? When it comes to food, they are quite possibly receiving SNAP benefits or visiting a food pantry to provide enough for their family.

Hunger does exist in Indiana, but it is not always easy to see. What we may see—individuals at pantries or a shopper using an EBT card at the grocery store—may look just like us. They may attend our church, live in our neighborhood, belong to the PTA, but what don’t we know about their circumstances? Rarely would someone publicly seek help when there is still a stigma attached to doing so if the help is not desperately needed. How many are parents who have lost their jobs, seniors who have seen a life-time of savings decimated by market down-turns or exhausted by medical costs, people who never thought they would need a helping hand, but now have nowhere else to turn.

Now, when Congress is debating our federal budget for this year with implications for years to come, cuts to SNAP and other federal anti-hunger programs would be devastating for the nearly 850,000 food insecure Hoosiers struggling with hunger, and would have long term costs far greater than any short term savings.

As we challenge ourselves to live on a SNAP budget for a week, I wish to issue another challenge. I challenge you, reader, to open your eyes to the hunger hiding in your community, and to seek out solutions. We Hoosiers are caring people and we have plenty here in our fertile state. Let’s make sure our friends, neighbors, and family have enough to eat too.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, the state association of food banks.

About Feeding Indiana’s Hungry
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY
Freestore Foodbank, Cincinnati, OH

For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. contact Emily Weikert Bryant at 317/396-9355 or ewbryant@feedingindianashungry.org, or view our website atwww.feedingindianashungry.org. Find us on Facebook atfacebook.com/FeedingIndianasHungry or follow our news on Twitter attwitter.com/FeedINsHungry

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Days 1 and 2 of the Food Stamp Challenge

2011-11-01T21:27:00.000-04:00

Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry

I'll start with a little background information. I'm a married mom of two, aged 4 and 7 months, and I work full time as the executive director of our state's food bank association. I'm fortunate to have married a man who does nearly all of the cooking in our household. However, since I'm not subjecting the rest of my family to the challenge, I'm on my own. And I'm eating like it.

I ended up shopping most of the way through my first day of the challenge. I picked up instant oatmeal for breakfast, makings for bologna and cheese sandwiches, 3 packages of ramen noodles, 5 apples, a bag of frozen corn, two boxes of microwave kettle corn, a box of tea and a bottle of juice. And because it was Halloween and I had about 85 cents left, I got a candy bar for instant gratification. I had Taco Bell for lunch--one soft taco--and had oatmeal and tea for breakfast from our existing stock because I intended to keep doing that, so I subtracted accordingly from my shopping allotment.

The first day wasn't bad, aside from watching all of the Halloween candy go out my door. The Taco Bell wasn't necessarily a wise nutritious choice, but it fit into my budget and my schedule. Dinner was a bologna and cheese sandwich and a kettle corn snack before bed.

Day two proved to be more challenging. My first meeting of the day was at a Starbucks, followed by a luncheon. Any normal day, I would spend most of my daily allotment on just one chai latte--at $4.31 each. I feel guilty and frivolous that I can spend so much on frothy drinks. I'd already had instant oatmeal and tea for breakfast, and then grabbed a bologna and cheese sandwich and half a bag of kettle corn from the night before on my way to the luncheon. Not bad.

After lunch, my schedule got considerably more difficult. By the time I left the luncheon I was hungry again, but I needed to take my child to the doctor. Ordinarily, I would grab a snack on the way, but I had only planned so far ahead as to grab another package of microwave kettle corn--with no microwave in the forseeable future in which to make it. I very nearly gave up the whole thing, but frankly didn't have time to stop anyway, which likely was my saving grace.

I grabbed an apple at home on the way back to the office, and then had a package of ramen noodles with a cup or so of frozen corn for dinner. I just had a bedtime snack of oatmeal.

I'm sure the nutritious value of what I'm eating could be improved. I knew getting into this that fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive, but I managed to get some of both. I'm not a milk drinker, so I saved myself some expense there (hence the lattes normally), but with one small package of cheese slices I'm not getting much dairy. But I know I could be doing worse.

The woman seated next to me at the luncheon today said she was impressed, that it took some chutzpah to come to a luncheon and not eat for such a good cause. I would disagree. What I'm doing here is such an insignificant gesture to raise awareness. What continously impresses me is the work the food banks in our organization do daily to feed the 1 in 6 Hoosiers who are food insecure. And what leaves me speechless are the Hoosiers who make this meager allotment of resources stretch to keep themselves and their families up and running.

Food Stamp Challenge!

2011-10-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Times continue to be tough for our food bank clients. One in six Hoosiers is food insecure (essentially, at risk of hunger), and with children the number is as high as one in four. Hoosiers at risk of hunger live in EVERY county in Indiana. They are our neighbors, our families and friends. We may not know it, but the odds are there that someone we know has difficulty securing enough nutritionally adequate and safe food for themselves or their families. Someone down the street, someone at church, someone who goes to school with our children.

To experience living on an extremely limited food budget firsthand, Feeding Indiana's Hungry will be participating in a Food Stamp Challenge, sponsored by Fighting Poverty with Faith, a national alliance of faith-based groups working to end poverty in the United States by 2020. In doing so, participants live for one week on the average food stamp allotment of $31.50, or just $1.50 per meal. The Indiana Challenge will take place from Thursday, October 27th through Thursday, November 10th. Participants choose which seven day period in which to take the challenge.

What is a Food Stamp Challenge?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps nearly 45 million low-income people purchase food for themselves and their families. The program is designed as a safety net to help ensure people have access to food during difficult times. It is a nutrition program, not welfare. More than half of food stamp recipients are children, and eight percent are over 60 years of age. Just last month in Indiana, 895,054 Hoosiers received SNAP benefits. Find more information about SNAP in Indiana here: http://www.incap.org/documents/iiwf/2011/FINAL%20SNAP_8-29.pdf

For one week, participants will live on the nationwide average food stamp benefit. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering the Food Stamp Program, the nationwide average monthly benefit in FY 2010 was $133.79, which breaks down to approximately:

$31.50 a week, $4.50 a day, $1.50 a meal

It won’t be easy, but personally experiencing the challenge of daily hunger will certainly help us to better understand the struggles so many Hoosiers face daily. Will you join us in this challenge? To learn more and sign up, visit the Fighting Poverty with Faith website, http://fightingpovertywithfaith.com/f2/?page_id=58. When you register, you will also receive up-to-date information from Fighting Poverty with Faith about the Food Stamp Challenge, the SNAP program, and continued opportunities for involvement.

If you or your family chooses to participate please try to follow these simple guidelines:

1. Each person should only spend a total of $31.50 on food and beverages during the week.

2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out, should be included in the total spending.

3. During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments).

4. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions or briefings.

5. Please keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week if you are able.

If you’re not able to join us in the Food Stamp Challenge, please educate your friends, family, and coworkers who may be interested and continue to urge your members of Congress to protect food stamps and other federal feeding programs that support millions of Americans.

Indiana Kick-off Event
Please join other us in Indianapolis for a kick-off event on the evening of October 27^th at 7:00pm for a screening of Food Stamped. We welcome you to this event regardless of whether you participate in the challenge!

Food Stamped is an informative and humorous documentary film following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Nutrition educator Shira Potash teaches nutrition-based cooking classes to elementary school students in low-income neighborhoods, most of whom are eligible for food stamps. In an attempt to walk a mile in their shoes, Shira and her documentary filmmaker husband embark on the food stamp challenge where they eat on roughly one dollar per meal. Along the way, they consult with food justice activists, nutrition experts, politicians, and ordinary people living on food stamps, all in order to take a deep look at the struggles low-income Americans face every day while trying to put three-square meals on the table.

The screening of Food Stamped will be followed by a short panel discussion of experts in the administration and utilization of the SNAP (food stamps) program.

Where: Indiana Inter-Church Center, 1100 W. 42^nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46208

When: 7:00 – 8:30pm, Thursday October 27

If your organization or agency would like to be a co-sponsor of the Indiana Food Stamp Challenge through board resolution or other means please contact David Sklar, Director of Government Affairs with the Jewish Community Relations Council at d_sklar@indyjcrc.org or 317-926-2935.

Check for updates on the experience on our blog, www.feedingindianashungry.blogspot.com, as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/feedingindianashungry and on Twitter, @FeedingINsHungry.

Grow to Give Potatoes Donates to Several Indiana Food Banks

2011-10-04T13:08:00.000-04:00

Millions of Pounds of Nutritious Potatoes to Feed Indiana’s Hungry

October 4, 2011—The management team at Lennard Ag decided this year that they were going to plant and grow 40 acres of potatoes and donate all of them to food banks and pantries to help alleviate hunger. Twelve additional corporate partners and 2.2 million pounds of potatoes later, the Grow to Give program has donated potatoes to several members of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, including the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. Hoosiers in need in 23 Indiana counties will receive the donated potatoes through the agencies served by the food banks. Lennard estimates that the production from 40 acres will feed roughly four million people.

“There are families in need of food, both here and around the country. We have the ability to help and felt compelled to take action. We work with great people in this area’s ag industry and have joined together to share available resources to grow and provide nutritious potatoes to those families,” Kyle Lennard, partner in Lennard Ag, said.

“We could not be more thankful for the donation of fresh and nutritious produce to our member food banks,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “That the Lennards have made such a commitment to hunger relief and have devoted such time and energy to the program speaks volumes about their corporate philosophy on community and their eagerness for sharing the harvest.”

The donation comes just as new data shows more and more Hoosiers are in need. A recent report from Feeding America indicated that one in six Hoosiers are at risk for hunger, and as many as one in four Hoosier children.

Potatoes are an excellent source of nutrients. According to the United States Potato Board, one medium potato with the skin contains 45 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, 2 grams of dietary fiber, as much or more potassium than bananas, spinach or broccoli, 10 percent of the daily value of vitamin B6, trace amounts of other nutrients, and no fat, sodium or cholesterol.

About Lennard Ag Company
Lennard Ag Company is a family owned and operated farm growing potatoes and grain crops in southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Established in 1947, Lennard Ag is a three generations deep farm managed today by Kim Lennard and his children Kyle and Lori Lennard. Anchored by their strong history, Lennard Ag Company’s modern operations are complemented by their care for the land, their community and the people with whom they work. For more information about Grow to Give, visit www.lennardag.com/grow.

2011-09-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry Announces 2011 Hoosier Hunger Heroes

Hunger Hero award publicly recognizes partners for their role in alleviating hunger in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 22, 2011) Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the statewide association of Indiana’s Feeding America affiliated food banks, is pleased to announce the recipients of its third annual Hoosier Hunger Hero award, an award created to honor and recognize individuals and partners who make a compassionate and transformational impact on those who are hungry in Indiana.

Last year, one in six Hoosiers was at risk of not having enough to eat, and the rate for Hoosier children was as high as one in four. The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food in 2010 through 1,700 partner agencies like pantries, soup kitchens, after school programs, and congregate meal sites.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry today honored Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller. For the third consecutive year, Zoeller partnered with the Indiana State Bar Association and Feeding Indiana's Hungry to call on law firms and lawyers to raise money and food donations benefiting 11 regional food banks. The 2011 March Against Hunger raised more than 6,000 pounds of food and $27,574, which combined is the equivalent of 143,986 pounds (or 72 tons) of assistance.

"All members of the legal profession take an oath to serve the interests of their clients above their own,” Zoeller said. “It has been heartwarming to see the response of attorneys in Indiana step up to help the food banks in our state serve those who struggle to feed their families. As Attorney General I'm honored to accept this recognition on behalf of all attorneys who have helped fulfill our oath."

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry also honored Bob Forney. Mr. Forney was a Hoosier and the Founding President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international organization that works collaboratively to reduce world hunger by securing more food and enhancing the ability to efficiently distribute food through food banks and food bank networks around the globe. Mr. Forney served as President and CEO of Feeding America, the largest U.S. charitable domestic hunger relief organization. Previously, Mr. Forney was President and CEO of the Chicago Stock Exchange Inc. Mr. Forney passed away unexpectedly last August.

"The Hunger Heroes we are honoring represent the finest examples of Hunger Relief Advocates there are," said Jane Avery, president of Feeding Indiana's Hungry and executive director of Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana. "Bob Forney spent his life helping feed people on the national level and Attorney General Greg Zoeller has used his statewide influence to feed hungry Hoosiers. These fine individuals deserve our respect and appreciation for their immense contributions to hunger relief," said Avery.

USDA Report Shows That 13 Percent of Hoosier Households are Food Insecure in a Three Year Average; 49 Million Americans Overall

2011-09-09T12:41:00.000-04:00

Hoosier Numbers Growing and Could Continue to Do So, Given Economic Outlook and Proposed Budget Cuts

September 9, 2011—The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported this week that 13 percent of Hoosier households are food insecure, according to a three year average. Overall, 1 in 6 Americans lives in a household that is food insecure. This new data comes during Indiana’s Hunger Action Week, as declared by Governor Mitch Daniels, and just days after Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, released a new study which revealed that 24.5 percent of children under the age of 18 in Indiana are struggling with hunger.

Food insecurity is defined by the USDA as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

“These new numbers show that food insecurity has continued to rise in Indiana roughly a percent a year over the last three years, while nationally, numbers remained steady or improved this year,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “Combined with recent reports from Feeding America and other anti-hunger advocates, a clear picture is painted to show that hunger does exist in Indiana and it will not go away on its own. We must address this critical need head-on to ensure that our citizens are getting the help necessary to succeed in school and in the workplace, and that our seniors do not go without.”

Nationally, among the nearly 49 million Americans facing hunger in the US, more than 16 million are children. Five million households experiencing food insecurity include at least one senior. The USDA collected the data in December, 2010.

“Many Hoosiers who are food insecure are also experiencing unemployment or underemployment, which remains at historically high levels,” said Bryant. “As Congress and the Administration look for ways to reduce the federal deficit, it is more critical than ever to protect nutrition programs that provide the first line of defense against hunger in America.”

The USDA released a study earlier this year, which found that provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) helped reduce food insecurity among people receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, when compared to low-income households that are not eligible for SNAP benefits.

SNAP is the nation’s largest nutrition program, now serving more than 45 million low-income people nationally and 884,000 Hoosiers. Seventy nine percent of the households receiving SNAP nationally include a child, elderly, or disabled person.

The Senate is currently considering legislation funding several critical nutrition programs for FY2012. The House has already approved legislation that would significantly weaken the nutrition safety net.

Last spring, Feeding America conducted a research study to reveal food insecurity rates at the county level. Map the Meal Gap showed that hunger exists in every county in Indiana, ranging from 10 percent in Hamilton County, to 22 percent in Fayette County.

“The pervasiveness of hunger requires a strong partnership between federal nutrition programs and the charitable distribution system to feed people in need, and our member food banks are up to the challenge,” said Bryant. “ While our nation faces many serious challenges today, the costs of children growing up hungry and seniors spending a lifetime working hard and retiring hungry are great. Hunger is simply one battle we cannot afford to lose.”

Governor Daniels Declares Sept. 4-10 Hunger Action Week

2011-09-02T14:30:00.000-04:00

FEEDING INDIANA’S HUNGRY AND FEEDING AMERICA LAUNCH HUNGER ACTION MONTH

Governor Daniels Declares Next Week Hunger Action Week in Indiana

September 2, 2011—This September, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief organization, are encouraging Hoosiers from all walks of life to raise awareness for hunger relief. Hunger Action Month is a multi-faceted effort to mobilize the public to end hunger in the United States.

As shown by Feeding America’s recent study, Map the Meal Gap, one in six Americans suffer from hunger. Here in Indiana, 16% of people are food insecure. For Hoosier children, the numbers are even greater--one in four Hoosier children is food insecure.

Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

In recognition of the state’s commitment to raising awareness of hunger, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is pleased to announce that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has declared September 4^th through September 10^th to be Hunger Action Week across the state.

“Hunger is real and impacts more Hoosiers than you might think,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “The eleven member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry distributed nearly sixty million pounds of food last year, but the demand isn’t letting up. We need Hoosiers to be aware and take action in their local communities to help our neighbors facing hunger.”

The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry are participating in Hunger Action Month in many ways. Some are participating in a nationwide Paper Plate Campaign to collect local messages from food assistance agencies to be read and delivered to members of Congress in Washington D.C. Some have designed a 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign to provide individuals exciting ways to participate in their community throughout September. All have volunteer events for the public to help provide food for those in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America are encouraging everyone to rally for hunger relief by doing three simple tasks this September: watch, share, and act.

Simply visit www.hungeractionmonth.org, and watch the celebrity public service announcement (PSA) videos. Actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Taye Diggs, and Ana Ortiz have partnered with Feeding America to show that hunger is indeed closer than you think. Watch these celebrities portray an actual Feeding America client experiencing hunger.

Secondly, share the PSAs through your social media spaces, such as Twitter, Facebook, or your personal blog. Our goal is to reach 1 million people through digital platforms.

Lastly, and most importantly take action. By visiting www.hungeractionmonth.org, or Feeding America’s interactive map, discover hunger numbers in your area and act locally.

Volunteer at your local Feeding America food bank or food pantry.

Share hunger stats with your friends. Tweet, post, and blog about hunger in your area.

Donate to Feeding America or the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. $1 donated helps Feeding America provide ten pounds of food and grocery products, or the equivalent of eight meals, to someone at risk of hunger.

To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.

# # #

About Feeding Indiana’s Hungry
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY
Freestore Foodbank, Cincinnati, OH

For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. contact Emily Weikert Bryant at 317/396-9355 or ewbryant@feedingindianashungry.org, or view our website at www.feedingindianashungry.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingIndianasHungry or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedINsHungry

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

New Study Shows that One in Four Hoosier Children Live at Risk of Hunger

2011-08-25T12:27:00.000-04:00

Map the Meal Gap Child Food Insecurity 2011: Data at the Local Level for the First Time

Aug. 25, 2011 – Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, today released a new study which reveals that 24.5 percent of children under the age of 18 in Indiana are struggling with hunger. This is about 388,640 or one in four Hoosier children, spanning all 92 Indiana counties.

The study, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011”, reveals that there are children struggling with food insecurity in every county in America. Nationally, while one in six Americans overall is food insecure, the rate for children is much higher: nearly one in four children is food insecure. The study shows that rates of child food insecurity in Indiana range from a low of seventeen percent, in Hamilton County to highs of 32 percent or more in Fayette, Elkhart, Adams, Miami, Crawford, and LaGrange Counties, touching all areas of the state.

“Even the most positive numbers still indicate that a significant number of children are food insecure in every Hoosier county, which is unacceptable,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Indiana’s state association of food banks. “Food insecurity threatens the health, education, and workforce readiness of one in four Hoosier children. Even if we are not aware of anyone in need, the problem is much closer to home than we might think and it cannot be ignored.”

“Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity” provides the following data for Indiana in an interactive map format:

o The percentage of the population who is food insecure, by county. Statewide, 16 percent of the population is food insecure.

o The percentage of children in Indiana by county that is eligible for assistance from federal nutrition programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), free or reduced-price school meals, and others. Statewide, 62 percent of food insecure children are eligible for these federal nutrition programs.

o The percentage of children in Indiana who are not eligible for federal nutrition programs like WIC, free or reduced-price school meals, and others. Statewide, 38 percent of children and families who are food insecure rely heavily on the charitable

sector for assistance.

An executive summary of the report can be found at: feedingamerica.org/mapthegap/childsummary

The study is an important tool because it provides critical information for developing strategies to alleviate child hunger. The data will enable hunger relief providers to direct greater outreach for SNAP (food stamps) or free or reduced-price school meals where there are high percentages of eligible children. Likewise, the study shows where other resources need to be explored and secured in areas where families have just enough income to be financially ineligible for federal nutrition programs but clearly still have a need for food assistance.

“Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011” shows what the hunger relief community has known but could not quantify: that hunger is everywhere in our state and country, it is not directly related to poverty, but is more closely tied to unemployment and underemployment, a problem many Hoosiers continue to experience. Hoosiers in need of assistance are working or seeking work, but are not earning enough to provide the basic necessities for their family,” said Bryant.

By providing additional details about the face of child food insecurity at the county level, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011” will enable food banks, the community based agencies they serve and policy makers to redefine approaches in addressing needs of hungry children and their families and develop more effective policy solutions.

This research is supported by ConAgra Foods Foundation. The ConAgra Foods Foundation funded this research with the goal of advancing the collective understanding of child hunger in America, so that resources at the local and national level could be better leveraged to help children and families in need.

The research is based on “Map the Meal Gap 2011: Food Insecurity Estimates at the County Level”, supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Nielsen.

ABC's “Hunger at Home: Crisis in America”

2011-08-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

ABC's “Hunger at Home: Crisis in America”

2011-08-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

From CNN: Amid economic unease, demand climbs at U.S. food banks

2011-08-15T10:20:00.000-04:00

One in 4 Households with Children in Indiana Report Inability to Afford Enough Food

2011-08-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

Data Also Show Widespread Struggle in Every Congressional District, Underscoring Need to Protect Nutrition Safety Net

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – August 12, 2011 – More than 26 percent of households with children in Indiana reported in 2009-2010 not having enough money to buy food that they needed at times for themselves or their family during the prior twelve months, according to a new analysis of food hardship data released yesterday by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

FRAC’s Food Hardship in America series analyzes data that were collected by Gallup and provided to FRAC. The data were gathered as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project, which has interviewed more than one million households since January 2008. FRAC has analyzed responses to the question: “Have there been times in the past twelve months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?” “Food hardship” is similar to the United States Department of Agriculture’s “food security” measurement, which utilizes Census Bureau and UDSA data from a series of questions to determine the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in a socially acceptable way to a household. Food insecurity measurements provide a more nuanced view of the depth of food insecurity and come out almost a year after the research occurs. Both food hardship and food security give similar numbers for how many Americans are struggling to put food on the table.

The analysis released today examines food hardship rates – the inability to afford enough food – for households with and without children. Data are available for every state, every Congressional District and 100 of the country’s largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Findings for childhood food hardship in Indiana include:

In 2009-2010, 26.4 percent of households with children in Indiana said they were unable to afford enough food. The food hardship rate for households without children was 17.1 percent.
Indiana ranked number 19 in the nation for food hardship in 2009-2010.
Eight of Indiana’s nine congressional districts had more than one in five households with children reporting food hardship in 2008-2010.
Similarly, Feeding America research based on the November 2010 USDA report for 2009 indicated that 16.2 percent of Hoosiers are food insecure.

“The food hardship rate for households without children is far too high, but we can see that the situation for households with children is far worse,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “These new data reaffirm what we’re seeing in our communities – that far too many people continue to struggle with hunger in these difficult economic times. These data demonstrate, as if any further evidence were needed, that this is not the time to make our safety net weaker. Congress must ensure that all deficit negotiations protect nutrition programs and other parts of the safety net that help the working poor, seniors, and children.”

When Congress returns to Washington after its August recess, it will enter the next phase of consideration under the recently passed debt ceiling deal: the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also known as the “Super Committee”) will hold its first meeting and begin to develop plans to cut an additional $1.5 trillion in spending.

“These data merely underscore what every Member of Congress should know already -- that his or her district has tens of thousands of households struggling with hunger or food insecurity,” said FRAC President Jim Weill. “Weakening any of these key safety net programs will make hunger and malnutrition more common and deeper. It will increase fiscal deficits, further weaken the economy, and increase human suffering in the district.”

In addition to federal nutrition safety net programs, the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry solicit food donations from manufacturers and retailers, receive donations from local and national food drives, and purchase food with donated funds. This broad approach to hunger relief helps to ensure that Indiana’s long-term unemployed and underemployed, as well as the 40 percent of food insecure Hoosiers who live above the income threshold for federal food assistance, continue to receive much needed help.

The full analysis is available on FRAC’s website (www.frac.org).

	Food Hardship Rates by Congressional District 2008-2010
House District	Households without children	Households with children
1^st	18.6	26.2
2^nd	17.3	31.0
3^rd	16.0	26.1
4^th	13.1	24.0
5^th	12.0	16.1
6^th	19.5	27.3
7^th	23.1	36.9
8^th	18.6	25.5
9^th	16.4	24.9

About This Report

This report is the latest in the Food Research and Action Center’s (FRAC) series of analyses of survey data on food hardship collected by Gallup as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. It provides the most up-to-date examination of the struggle that very large numbers of American households are having affording enough

food.

Unprecedented New Study Paints a Detailed Portrait of Food Insecurity in Indiana

2011-03-24T21:20:00.000-04:00

40 Percent of the More Than One Million Food Insecure in Indiana Do Not Qualify for Federal Assistance

Indianapolis, IN March 24, 2011--- Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the state’s food bank association, and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, today released a landmark study, “Map the Meal Gap,” providing the first detailed look at the food budget shortfall of families struggling with hunger in Indiana each year – an estimated total of $389,851,730.

“Just over one million Hoosiers are food insecure. Of them, 40 percent do not qualify for food stamps or other government programs. To fill this meal gap, these Hoosiers often must rely on the food bank network of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and other charities to help feed themselves and their families,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “Although our member food banks distributed more than 60 million pounds of food last year, the ‘Meal Gap’ for food insecure Hoosiers is 171,683,370 meals. Clearly the charitable hunger relief sector can’t do this job alone.”

The study takes a look at ‘meals’ in a whole new way, using county-level data on food costs from The Nielsen Company to break down the food budget shortfall of our residents into an approximation of the meals missing from the tables of people at risk of hunger in Indiana each year.

Although “Map the Meal Gap” showed that Indiana’s food costs at $2.27 per meal are lower than the national average of $2.54, Indiana’s food insecurity rate of 16.2 percent in 2009 was up more than a percent from the previous year, with some Indiana counties like Fayette, Elkhart, Howard, and LaGrange clearing 20 percent of the population experiencing food insecurity.

Map the Meal Gap provides the following data for Indiana and all 92 counties in an interactive map format:

The percentage of the population who is food insecure.

The percentage of the food insecure population who qualify based on income for SNAP (Foods Stamps) and other federal nutrition programs.

The percentage of the food insecure population who do NOT qualify for federal nutrition programs and often must rely on charitable food assistance programs and who also need better wages and employment opportunities to help them meet their basic needs.

The average price per meal based on new research by The Nielsen Company.

“The interactive map will, for the first time, allow policy makers, state agencies, corporate partners and individual advocates to develop integrated strategies to fight hunger on a community by community level,” said Bryant.

According to Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey data analyzed as part of “Map the Meal Gap”, people struggling with hunger estimate they would need about $56 more each month on average during the months that they are food insecure to address the shortages in their food budget. “Map the Meal Gap” shows that this shortfall represents an estimated 171,683,370 meals in Indiana on an annual basis. The data can also be reviewed on a county by county basis.

“Map the Meal Gap” also provides critical information that has never been previously available -- food insecurity rates for Congressional District. Previously, food insecurity data was only available at the state level in the USDA’s annual report. The study further analyzes each district’s food insecure population to determine their income eligibility for federal nutrition assistance. This data has the potential to redefine the way service providers and policy makers address areas of need.

The findings of “Map the Meal Gap” are based on statistics collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Census Bureau, and food price data from The Nielsen Company. The study was supported by The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Nielsen.

“Map the Meal Gap” was conducted using well-established, transparent methods. Data were analyzed by Feeding America in partnership with Dr. Craig Gundersen, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois, Executive Director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory and member of Feeding America’s Technical Advisory Group.

A summary of the findings, an interactive map of the United States, and the full report are available on Feeding America's web site at www.feedingamerica.org

CBS 60 Minutes' Report, Hard Times Generation: Homeless Kids

2011-03-11T17:01:00.000-05:00

WFYI to broadcast "Food for Thought: How Hoosiers can end hunger" on March 8 at 7 p.m.

2011-03-03T14:18:00.000-05:00

From our friends at the Indiana Humanities Council and Indiana's Family of Farmers:

The Indiana Humanities Council and Indiana’s Family of Farmers recently held a panel discussion about hunger from a global and local perspective. Part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought campaign, the discussion will be broadcast by WFYI (90.1 FM), on March 8 from 7-8:30 p.m.

We didn’t expect to solve world hunger with this forum, but we do hope that, by provoking conversation, we can help move us closer to a solution. That’s why the Indiana Humanities Council has made hunger a focus of the Food for Thought initiative in 2011.

Please join us in that conversation. We hope you’ll tune in so you can learn about hunger and its impact on Indiana and the world. But the dialogue won’t end there. You can watch for and engage with future Food for Thought programs by logging on to www.FoodforThoughtIndiana.org.

Check in daily from March 1 to March 14 for blog posts by hunger advocates, community leaders and businesses making a difference. Today's is by WFYI, and it outlines the need for conversations such as this one.

Attorney General Greg Zoeller launches third annual March Against Hunger challenge

2011-03-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Friendly food drive competition among attorneys benefits 11 regional food banks

Terre Haute, Ind. – Attorney General Greg Zoeller visited the Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank today to kick off the third annual March Against Hunger food drive competition for attorneys. For the third consecutive year, Zoeller is partnering with the Indiana State Bar Association and Feeding Indiana's Hungry (FIsH) to call on law firms and lawyers to raise money and food donations benefitting 11 regional food banks.

“While there are some hopeful signs of an economic recovery on the horizon, for many the harsh realities of unemployment and financial difficulties continue to leave them desperate to buy the basic food essentials to feed their families,” Zoeller said. “I appreciate the Indiana State Bar Association joining me once more in the call to members of our profession to step up and do what attorneys do best – serve the interests of others.”

The competition among law offices to collect donations starts March 14 and ends March 31. Firms may make monetary contributions or donations of nonperishable food items. Every dollar raised will be counted as five pounds of food. In 2009, 45 participating law offices across Indiana generated the equivalent of more than 77 tons of food. In 2010, 31 offices participated raising more than 50 tons of food.

"We are very thankful for the continued support and generosity of Attorney General Zoeller and the legal community. Their help enables our food banks to distribute additional food around the state," said Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of FIsH. "Last year our food banks distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food, but the need has not diminished. Every little bit helps."

FIsH is a public-private partnership linking hunger service providers, food producers, and processors to more effectively identify and deliver services to the 11 regional foodbanks around the state. In a study conducted last year by FIsH, it was determined that more than 694,500 people, including 295,857 children, receive emergency food assistance each year through the 11 regional food banks. On a weekly basis, an estimated 117,900 Hoosiers receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other agency, the study found.

Firms will compete in four divisions for the Attorney General’s cup: large law firms of 50

attorneys or more, medium-sized firms of 10 – 49 attorneys, small and sole practitioners of one to nine attorneys, and public and nonprofit attorneys. The largest-donating law office in each division will receive a trophy.

Previous March Against Hunger challenge winners include:

	Large firms (>25 attorneys)	Small & Sole Practitioners (1-25 attorneys)	Public & Non-profit attorneys
2009	Barnes & Thornburg - Statewide	Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders - Evansville	Philip H. Siegel - Evansville
2010	Barnes & Thornburg - Statewide	Rubin & Levin, P.C. - Indianapolis	Dept. of Justice/Office of the U.S. Trustee - Indianapolis

The 11 regional food banks that serve parts of Indiana and are members of FIsH are:

Muncie: Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana – serving Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay,
Madison, Randolph and Wabash counties

Bloomington: Hoosier Hills Food Bank – serving Brown, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange and Owen counties

Evansville: Tri-State Food Bank – serving Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburg and Warrick counties

Fort Wayne: Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana – serving Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties

Gary: Food Bank of Northwest Indiana – serving Lake and Porter Counties

Indianapolis: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. – serving Bartholomew, Boone, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, Putnam, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Union and Wayne counties

Lafayette: Food Finders Food Bank – serving Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren and White counties

South Bend: Food Bank of Northern Indiana – serving Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph counties

Terre Haute: Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank – serving Clay, Greene, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties

Cincinnati, Ohio: Free Store Food Bank, Inc. –serving Indiana counties Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio and Switzerland

Louisville, Ky. Dare to Care Food Bank – serving Indiana counties Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison and Washington

To sign up to participate in this year's statewide competition, click here to visit the Attorney General’s March Against Hunger webpage. Firms may sign up any time before the competition begins or during the collection period of March 14-31. For more information, please contact Michelle Mayer, Director of Outreach Services for the Indiana Office of the Attorney General at michelle.mayer@atg.in.gov or 317-234-6668.

Hoosiers not employed by a law firm who want to donate can contribute nonperishable foods at a participating firm or by visiting the FIsH Web site at http://www.feedingindianashungry.org/. Donation totals and competition winners will be announced after the March Against Hunger food drive concludes March 31. A list of participating firms will be posted at http://www.atg.in.gov/.

3rd Annual March Against Hunger Food Drive with AG Zoeller, March 14-31

2011-02-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

Attorney General Greg Zoeller has joined forces once again with the Indiana State Bar Association and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) for the third annual March Against Hunger food drive, which is scheduled for March 14-31.

The March Against Hunger is a competition between law firms to raise donations -- either of nonperishable foods or direct monetary donations -- for Indiana's 11 regional food banks.

“While there are some hopeful signs of an economic recovery on the horizon, for many in our state the harsh realities of unemployment and financial difficulties leave them desperate to buy the basic food essentials to feed their families. For the third year I am calling upon the members of my profession to step up and do what attorneys do best -- serve the interests of others,” Zoeller said. “The food banks in Indiana are facing a critical shortage of supplies due to the increase in the need to help put food on the table of our fellow Hoosiers. I’ve been very proud of the past support by the many members of the ISBA, and I hope for greater support this year to meet the greater need.”

In 2010 Zoeller presented the Attorney General's Cup to the biggest donating firms in three categories. Barnes & Thornburg LLP was the winner of the large firm division; Rubin & Levin placed first in the small firm and solo practitioner division; and the Office of the U.S. Trustee Indianapolis/Region 10 won the public/nonprofit division. This year's categories will be the same, recognizing a winner in each category who collects the most donations.

Go to http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2773.htm to sign up to participate in this year's statewide competition. Firms may sign up anytime before the competition begins or during the collection period of March 14-31. For more information, please contact Michelle Mayer at the Office of the Attorney General at michelle.mayer@atg.in.gov or 317/234-6668.

WALMART FOUNDATION GIVES $400,000 TO FEEDING INDIANA’S HUNGRY, INC.

2010-12-29T14:25:00.000-05:00

Grant to Aid FIsH to help increase flow of nutritional food throughout the state

INDIANAPOLIS – December 28, 2010 – Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. (FIsH) today received a $400,000 contribution to assist with hunger relief efforts. The grant – which was given to the non-profit organization through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will help the organization to strengthen partnerships to provide more nutritional food flowing through the member food bank system. The donation is a combination of a $300,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation, and $100,000 grant from Walmart Foundation’s Associate’s Choice program.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is the state association of Feeding America affiliated food banks. The group has eleven member food banks that together serve all 92 Indiana counties through direct services and through distribution to nearly 1700 emergency food assistance agencies across the state. Last year, the member food banks distributed almost 50 million pounds of food to nearly 700,000 Hoosiers in need of emergency food assistance.

”We are so thankful for the generosity of the Walmart Foundation and their strategic initiative to assist hunger relief organizations,” said John Etling, President of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “A portion of this funding is already assisting the member food banks with holiday food purchases, and we expect the remainder to go out in the new year to help us continue our mission of providing nutritious food to the many Hoosiers having difficulty consistently putting food on their table. Times are still difficult for so many in Indiana, and we feel fortunate to have been awarded resources to continue to help those still struggling with unemployment, health issues, seniors with fixed incomes, and children who, through no fault of their own, are faced with hunger.”

The grant was presented to John Etling during a check presentation ceremony hosted today at the Hoosier Veteran’s Assistance Foundation, an emergency food assistance agency served by Feeding Indiana’s Hungry member Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Speaker of the House Brian Bosma was also on hand to share remarks.

“Walmart is very pleased to support Feeding Indiana’s Hungry in their endeavor to help strengthen the network of food sources and is committed to helping those in need in the communities where we serve,” said Jason Wetzel, director of public affairs and government relations for Walmart in Indiana. “Through these grants, we are hopeful that families receive the assistance they need to have nutritious food and better health.”

The contribution to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s Indiana State Giving Program (SGP) and Associate’s Choice initiative. Through these programs, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.

Walmart associates throughout Indiana recognized the positive impact Feeding Indiana’s Hungry has made on our state, and voted to give it this year’s Associate Choice Award. This online campaign allowed Walmart associates to vote directly for a nonprofit to receive funding in their home state. The 10-week voting program awarded $5 million in grants to statewide organizations across the U.S. Of those funds, $3.6 million support hunger relief organizations, and $100,000 is awarded to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry.

Last year, the Indiana State Giving Program awarded more than $635,000 to local organizations such as FBI National CHiPs program, ADEC, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Keep Terre Haute Beautiful, Indianapolis Urban League, Purdue University and Salvation Army. A team of local associates determine needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.

To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Eligible applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.

In the U.S., Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts in fiscal year ending 2010 (FYE10)—an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving. At a time when food banks are being accessed more than ever, Walmart doubled donations to Feeding America, giving more than 127 million pounds of nutritious food to U.S. food banks, the equivalent of nearly 100 million meals. The breakdown for FYE 2010:

· In the U.S., Walmart gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $378 million in FYE09.

In international markets, Walmart gave more than $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts.

· Walmart’s customers and associates in the U.S. gave more than $76 million through giving programs that benefit local charities.

· Walmart’s international customers and associates gave more than $35 million through giving programs that benefit local charities.

· In total around the globe, Walmart, its Foundations, its customers and associates supported communities with more than $624 million in charitable contributions during FYE10.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

Walmart Awards $400K Grant to Feeding Indiana's Hungry

2010-12-29T13:55:00.000-05:00

2010-12-21T16:07:00.000-05:00

Enhanced Tax Deductions for AlL Business TAXPAYERS TO PROVIDE UP TO 78 Million ADDITIONAL meals FOR AMERICA’S HUNGRY

A Statement from Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry

Indianapolis, IN December 21, 2010— “The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, recently signed into law, includes a tax incentive for private sector food donations to charities through 2011 and could provide up to 78 million additional meals for hungry American’s over the next two years. This represents a major victory for the eleven member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, food donors and the nearly 700,000 Hoosiers served by our food banks around the state.

At a time when many food banks across the country are most in need of donations, Congress renewed a critical provision that allows all business entities—including farms, small businesses, and restaurants—to continue to receive a tax incentive to help fight hunger in their communities. Before this renewal, only C corporations, generally larger companies, were eligible for the enhanced deduction for donations of food. The new law means that through 2011 and retroactive to the start of 2010, small businesses, retailers, farmers, ranchers and restaurateurs have a new incentive to donate food for hunger relief. This is a big step forward to help ensure that the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry have adequate food available to meet the growing need for assistance.

On behalf of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and all of our supporters, I am extremely grateful that Congress recognized the challenges faced by food banks and the growing number of people who need food during the current economic crisis.”

New Report: Hunger Reaches Record High, 12.3 Percent of Hoosier Households at Risk of Hunger

2010-11-17T16:18:00.003-05:00

Indianapolis, IN – Nov. 17, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA) reported this week that 12.3 percent of Hoosier households are food insecure -- meaning they lack consistent access to a nutritious, well-balanced diet. The findings are based on data collected by the government in December, 2009. Food insecurity in Indiana is up from 11.2 percent in last year’s USDA report, and 10.2 percent in 2007.

The report, Household Food Insecurity in the United States, is a sobering snapshot of the pervasiveness of hunger in our nation. The report shows that child hunger remains critically high. Nearly 1 in 4 children nationally was at risk of hunger in 2009.

“Far too many Hoosiers are food insecure. But this data provides strong evidence that the safety net helped many families at risk of hunger in 2009. This was largely due to improvements to SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps) and other programs in the economic recovery package and the ongoing support for the emergency food system from the federal government,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “Despite continued increases in unemployment, federal nutrition and charitable food assistance programs responded to the rising need and prevented more Hoosiers from going hungry.”

“The report also confirms that we cannot afford to wait another year before addressing our child hunger crisis,” Bryant said. “When Congress returns to Washington this week, they have a critical opportunity to reduce child hunger by strengthening programs that increase low-income children’s access to healthy meals. Congress must not adjourn without passing the Child Nutrition bill this year.”

The Senate passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in August, and the bill now awaits action by the House of Representatives.

The sharp rise in food insecurity rates during the recession mirror the findings in Feeding America’s report Hunger in America 2010, which showed that the number of people seeking emergency food assistance each year through the Feeding America network of food banks has increased a staggering 46 percent since 2006. Indiana's Hunger in America 2010: Indiana State Report revealed that Feeding America network food banks served nearly 700,000 Hoosiers in 2009, nearly half of them children and seniors.

The full USDA report can be found at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity/.

2010-11-09T16:38:00.001-05:00

Congress Must Pass Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act When They Return

2010-11-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

Too often in Washington, positive change is stalled because our two parties are unable to come together and agree on solutions to benefit the country. Fortunately, in this Congress, we recently saw a true bipartisan effort that will have a lasting impact on the health of our nation without any additional cost to taxpayers or increase in our national deficit.

While child hunger was a significant problem before the recession, the recession has made the problem much worse. The percentage of children living in food-insecure households rose by 34 percent from 2007 to 2008.[i] Undernourished children 0-3 years of age cannot learn as much, as fast or as well because their condition changes the fundamental architecture of the brain and central nervous system.[1] [2] Lack of enough nutritious food impairs a child’s ability to concentrate and perform well in school.[3] The annual cost of our nation’s hunger problem is estimated at over $90 billion per year, and costs Indiana roughly $1.9 billion per year.[4]

The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs feed more than 30 million kids every day in 99% of public schools. Many of these schools can’t afford to provide nutritious option for students and must rely on inexpensive, less-healthy food sources.

Because more than 50 percent of children’s total daily calorie intake can be consumed at schools, the food available to students at school can have significant impacts on their health. Children who eat breakfast score better on tests, show improved learning skills and memory retention, and have lower rates of tardiness and absenteeism.[5]

In addition to facing added transportation barriers that limit participation in child nutrition programs, rural communities have a greater prevalence of hunger and poverty. The fact that rural communities experience both poorer access and greater need underscores the importance of making investments in improved program access.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act improves funding and standards for school meal programs over the next ten years. The act will go a long way towards ending hunger for our kids by providing nutritious food in schools that will help them stay healthy and succeed in the classroom.

The bill would strengthen and streamline the child nutrition programs. It includes several no-cost reforms to simplify program management and improve program integrity. The bill is fully paid for and requires no new government spending. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will save $11 million by 2020 from the federal deficit. The bill would invest in Farm to School programs that improve the nutritional quality of school meals while supporting local farmers.

This bipartisan bill has widespread support. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed this legislation this summer. 83 percent of Americans support expanding the Child Nutrition Act to “provide healthier food and cover more kids”. It is supported by more than 100 health, education, anti-hunger, and industry groups, including American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Feeding America, and more. It is also supported by the food and beverage industry, including Nestle, International Dairy Foods Association, Coke, and Pepsi.

By voting to for this important bill before it expires in December, the members of the Indiana Congressional delegation can ensure that school meals programs operate more efficiently and make the best use of taxpayer dollars. Updated data on child hunger in 2009 will be released on November 15, the same day Congress returns to Washington, and is likely to show another increase. Congress must pass the child nutrition bill immediately when they return.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the state association of food banks.

i Nord, M., Andrews, M., Carlson, S. Household Food Security in the United States, 2008. USDA ERR-83.

[1] Cook J.T., Frank D.A. Food Security, Poverty, and Human Development in the United States. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2008 (Online Early Articles). doi:10.1196/annals. 1425.001, http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1196/annals.1425.001?cookieSet=1.

[2] National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (2000) From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development. Jack P. Shonkoff and Deborah A. Phillips, eds. Board on Children, Youth , and Families, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

[3] Jyoti D.F., Frongillo E.A., Jones S.J. Food Insecurity Affects School Children's Academic Performance, Weight Gain, and Social Skills. J Nutr, 2005 Dec; 135: 2831-2839.

[4]http://www.sodexofoundation.org/hunger_us/Images/Cost%20of%20Domestic%20Hunger%20Report%20_tcm150-155150.pdf

[5] Breakfast and Learning: An Updated Review, Current Nutrition & Food Science. Vol. 3, p. 3-36. 2007.

Lugar’s Hoosiers Fighting Hunger collects 310,564 pounds of food

2010-10-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

From the Office of Sen. Lugar:

October 19, 2010 MUNCIE, Indiana – At the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana tonight, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar praised the generosity of Hoosiers for donating more than 155 tons of food to the second annual Hoosiers Fighting Hunger statewide food drive benefiting Indiana food banks and local pantries. The food collected will amount to more than 238,000 meals for Hoosiers in need.

“Donating nearly 8,000 meals per day, thousands of Hoosiers answered the call and, together, we collected 310,564 pounds of food for our state’s food banks and local pantries in September. This level of generosity puts new emphasis on National Hunger Action Month and will help stock the shelves ahead of the holiday season,” Lugar said. “I deeply appreciate Kroger, Marsh and Walmart’s partnership, once again, in this remarkable food drive. In visits to each of the stores last month, I witnessed Hoosiers’ generous spirit exemplified in the large stacks of food ready for their local communities.”

In addition to the statewide food drive, Hoosiers Fighting Hunger partners Kroger, Marsh and Walmart donated more than 742,000 pounds (more than 571,000 meals) in September as part of their monthly donations to local food banks and pantries throughout the year.

Lugar visited an Eastside Indianapolis Kroger on August 30, the downtown Indianapolis Marsh on August 31 and Walmart in Fort Wayne on September 1. He also joined with Gleaners Food Bank for the donation of two new delivery trucks by Chase bank on Monument Circle in Indianapolis. Photos of his visits are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/senatorlugar/sets/72157625198024786/.

The Hoosiers Fighting Hunger food drive came about in 2009 when Lugar heard from food banks across the state that demand had increased more than 30 percent. In response, Lugar reached out to Kroger, Marsh and Walmart and asked them to partner, for the first time, in a statewide food drive. Setting aside competitive instincts, stores across the state set up Hoosiers Fighting Hunger displays with pre-bagged food items for purchase at the $3, $5 and $10 levels. In 2009, Hoosiers Fighting Hunger collected 275,402 pounds of food, which equals more than 211, 000 meals.

Lugar has long supported hunger issues, such as incentives to promote charitable food donation, elimination of childhood hunger, foreign food aid, and health promotion.

In 2009, Lugar reintroduced the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Extension Act to make permanent provisions that allow farmers and small business owners to receive a tax deduction for donating food products to food banks, pantries and homeless shelters. Provisions of this bill were temporarily extended in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, but have since expired.

Lugar is also an inaugural member of the Senate Hunger Caucus, which provides a forum for Senators to discuss and debate important hunger issues facing the United States and the rest of our world.

For additional information on the food drive, please visit http://lugar.senate.gov/food/.

Senator Lugar Champions Food Drive, Hunger Awareness

2010-09-28T15:41:00.000-04:00

Lugar continues leadership on hunger issues in Indiana and in Washington

INDIANAPOLIS, IN --- September 10, 2010 --- As children around the state are back in school and our members of Congress go back to Washington, we are humbled by the number of Indiana children in need of food assistance and grateful that our own Senator Lugar is working hard at home and in Congress to reduce child hunger.

One in six Indiana children lives in a family that struggle to get enough to eat. Over 50 percent of Indiana school-children can count on free or reduced-price lunches to nourish them during the school day, but many of the same children don’t know whether they’ll have enough to eat after the school bell rings.

Food banks like the eleven members of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry are working to make sure Indiana’s families have enough food for their children to grow healthy and strong. In addition to providing groceries through local food pantries, our food banks support programs that feed children when school is out. Our KidsCafe afterschool snack sites and weekend Backpack programs ensure that children have the nutrition they need when they are away from school, and our summer programs feed children when school is out for the summer.

The number of families seeking emergency food assistance from food bank programs has grown dramatically in recent years. Last year, when Senator Lugar heard from food banks across the state that demand had increased more than 30 percent over previous years, he started the Hoosiers Fighting Hunger campaign. Senator Lugar reached out to Kroger, Marsh, and Walmart and asked them to partner together for the first time in a statewide food drive. The companies set up displays in stores across the state encouraging shoppers to purchase pre-bagged food items for the food drive. Thanks to Senator Lugar’s leadership, the partnership of those grocers, and the generosity of people across the state, Hoosiers Fighting Hunger collected 138 tons of food statewide last year.

A strong member of our community, Senator Lugar has been an equally strong leader in Congress, supporting the work of Indiana’s food banks and working to address child hunger through the child nutrition bill. Senator Lugar has been the lead champion of the Summer Food Service Program, and his innovative efforts to strengthen and improve the program have been adopted nationwide. To express our gratitude for his leadership, we will honor Senator Lugar at a September 30th event concluding Hunger Action Month. But given the impact of Senator Lugar’s efforts on thousands of families across the state, we thought it was only right that we express our thanks publicly as well.

The Hoosiers Against Hunger food drive isn’t over yet, and we ask for your help to ensure another successful food drive this year. Please support your local food bank by visiting Kroger, Marsh, or Walmart before September 30 and donating a bag of groceries.

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Out with Jewel-Osco Feeding the Hungry

2010-09-09T13:21:00.000-04:00

Passage of Child Nutrition by Congress is Vital

2010-08-02T16:56:00.002-04:00

Back to School Means Back to Consistent Meals for Many Hoosier Children Thanks to Federal Programs

Around Indiana and across the country, children are enjoying the remaining days of freedom before school starts. But for millions of children, back-to-school means more than a return to homework. It means a return to food. 16 percent of Hoosier children are hungry or at risk of hunger.

What many don’t realize is that amid summer’s seeming abundance, child hunger is actually at its worst. While many of us are enjoying the bounty of our gardens or local farmers’ market, low-income families that rely on school meal programs to nourish their children during the school year are struggling to feed their families. Some of these children are able to access meals at summer feeding programs, but the vast majority nationally – almost 90 percent – do not. In Indiana, only 14 percent of kids who get lunch assistance during the school year participate in a summer food program on a typical summer day.

So as our children prepare for a return to school and homework, it’s important to remember that for many of their vulnerable peers, back-to-school also means back to the promise of daily, nutritious meals. 50 percent of Hoosier children participating in the National School Lunch Program receive free or reduced lunches. School meal programs often provide the healthiest and most nourishing meal that a child receives all day. For some children, the program provides their only meal period. That is why it is vitally important that we not only improve the nutritional quality of the food being served to our children, but also expand program access so we can reach more eligible, low-income children. In particular, many communities lack access to school breakfasts and afterschool snacks and suppers.

Child nutrition programs can make a significant difference in a child’s life—protecting their health, improving their ability to learn, providing a sense of security, and ultimately, investing in their future. We have an opportunity to strengthen child nutrition programs this year as Congress considers a child nutrition bill. Unfortunately, we risk missing a critical opportunity to make progress against child hunger if Congress does not act on the legislation before the current law expires September 30. Senator Lugar, an inaugural member of the U.S. Senate Hunger Caucus, has publicly supported moving the bill in the Senate as quickly as possible. Feeding Indiana’s Hungry urges both Senator Bayh and the members of the Indiana House Delegation to take action as well to pass a robust child nutrition bill this year. Our children cannot afford to wait another year for Congress to take strong action to reduce hunger and improve nutrition.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc., the state association of food banks.

Indiana Food Bank Association Adds New Member

2010-07-26T09:36:00.000-04:00

Membership Grows to Eleven Food Banks; Freestore Foodbank Serves 3 Southeast Indiana Counties.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN --- July 26, 2010 --- Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. and Freestore Foodbank announced today that Freestore Foodbank is joining the Indiana state food bank association, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry.

“Freestore Foodbank has been serving Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland Counties for 40 years. We are excited to be working with them in our efforts to spread an awareness of hunger and adding to our state network that provides assistance all across Indiana,” said John Etling, President of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. and President of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute.

"With demand for emergency food increasing steadily, it is crucial for food banks to cooperate for the best service for our hungry neighbors," said John Young, CEO of Freestore Foodbank. "Membership in Feeding Indiana’s Hungry will help us do our best for Indiana counties we serve."

The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider in the Tri-State. The organization is a trusted partner to over 325 nonprofit member agencies spread across 20 counties, through which it annually distributes over 12 million pounds of food and other products to more than 200,000 individuals. By providing emergency food distribution, the Freestore Foodbank works to determine the root causes of poverty and food insecurity and is able to provide an array of services (emergency clothing, housing services, job training and others) aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America. Visit www.freestorefoodbank.org for more information.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY
Freestore Foodbank, Cincinnati, OH

16 percent of Hoosier children are food insecure, the 9th highest increase in the nation

2010-07-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

Feeding America report reveals new state-level data on child hunger

Indianapolis, Indiana –More than one in seven Indiana children experience food insecurity, according to new research released today by Feeding America and funded by the ConAgra Foods Foundation, Feeding America’s Leadership Partner in the Fight to End Child Hunger.

Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008 reveals that an estimated 255,686 children under the age of 18 in Indiana were food insecure, meaning the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain. This includes the portion of Hoosiers experiencing 'very low food security' or hunger. The food insecurity rate increased more than 3 percent from the 2005-2007 data, to 16.2 percent.

“It’s disheartening to think that even one child must go without or worry whether or from where the next meal will come,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. “All children should be able to grow up without experiencing want, especially in Indiana, where food is abundant and neighbors care for neighbors. We must put an end to child hunger.”

The study also reveals regional data on food insecurity for children under the age of 5. In the Midwest region, 815,250 children under 5 on average were food insecure. This is a rate of more than one in six, or 18.6 percent.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases an annual report on the state of food insecurity in the United States, which focuses on the general population in each state. This new report delves deeper into the data in order to bring the child hunger statistics to the forefront.

While the recent 2009 USDA food insecurity report revealed that nationally, nearly one in four children is food insecure, determining detailed, state-level estimates on child food insecurity requires looking at a three-year average to increase accuracy and reliability. Though high, these estimates are expected to rise over the coming years as the full impact of the economic downturn is taken into account.

Through the support of the ConAgra Foods Foundation, Feeding America contracted nationally-recognized researcher John Cook, Ph.D. to analyze the USDA’s food insecurity raw data in order to provide state-level child food insecurity estimates.

“Research over the past 12 years shows conclusively that food insecurity and hunger are serious threats to children’s health, growth and development, and may even harm young children’s brain architecture,” Cook said.

“This report demonstrates the crisis that our country continues to face at the local level,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. “The fight against hunger is more important than ever. We thank our longtime partners at the ConAgra Foods Foundation for their ongoing support in the fight against child hunger and their commitment to funding critical research, such as this study by Dr. Cook. The data underscores the critical importance of passing the new Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. We are committed to putting an end to child hunger.”

The ConAgra Foods Foundation has been a dedicated partner of Feeding America for more than 15 years, providing both food and funds in the fight against hunger. ConAgra Foods recently committed $10 million over five years to fight child hunger with Feeding America. This is the largest donation in Feeding America’s history specifically designated to support the fight against child hunger.

“We’re dedicated to helping solve childhood hunger, but to do so we must first understand the need. That’s why the ConAgra Foods Foundation funded this study with Feeding America and Dr. Cook,” said Kori Reed, Executive Director, ConAgra Foods Foundation. “Knowing where children are most in need of our support will allow us to better direct our funding and resources to provide the most relief. It will also bring all of us one step closer to ending child hunger in America.”

The states with the highest increases in the rates of child food insecurity since last year for children under the age of 18 include:

State Rate

Arkansas +6.1%

Florida +4.9%

Arizona +4.0%

Montana +3.9%

Hawaii +3.7%

Georgia +3.4%

Wisconsin +3.4%

Missouri +3.2%

Indiana +3.1%

Connecticut +2.9%

The full report, including a complete list of all 50 states, is available at http://feedingamerica.org/our-network/the-studies/child-food-insecurity.aspx.

About Feeding Indiana’s Hungry

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our ten member food banks serve 1,500 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary

Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend

Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette

Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis

Terre Haute Catholic Charities, Terre Haute

Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington

Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville

Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY

For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. contact Emily Weikert Bryant at 317/396-9355 or ewbryant@feedingindianashungry.org, view our website at www.feedingindianashungry.org, or follow our blog at www.feedingindianashungry.blogspot.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About ConAgra Foods Foundation

The ConAgra Foods Foundation, through its Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow platform, is dedicated to raising awareness of the nearly 17 million children in America who are at risk of hunger and don't have enough food to live active, healthful lives. It aggressively pursues sustainable solutions in the fight against child hunger. And the Foundation is committed to building a community of people who are passionate about ensuring that all kids have access to the food and facts they need to eat nutritiously while living balanced lifestyles and succeeding in school and life. ConAgra Foods Foundation invests in national and local partnerships with high-impact, not-for-profit organizations, such as Feeding America, that take an innovative approach to addressing needs in the core areas of hunger and nutrition education. For more information, please visit www.conagrafoodsfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/ConAgraFoodsFoundation. The ConAgra Foods Foundation is funded solely by ConAgra Foods.

Hunters and Fishermen Can Now Donate Online to Help Feed the Hungry!

2010-07-01T15:23:00.005-04:00

Signing up for a fishing or hunting license online or at a DNR facility? Please be sure to consider donating to the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund to help pay processing fees for venison donated to Indiana’s food banks!

The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry work with Indiana’s Farmers & Hunters Feeding Hungry, which facilitates most of the donated meat statewide. FHFH has 22 active coordinators in Indiana, and collectively processed a total of 90,324 pounds of meat in the 2009-2010 hunting season. Protein sources like venison and other wild game are the most wanted yet least available food resource for food banks. The meat from one deer will provide enough for 200 meals!

The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund pays exclusively for the processing of deer meat to feed Indiana’s hungry. Your donation of $1 or more will help us feed the nearly 280,000 Hoosier households who reduce the amount of food and change eating patterns because there are not enough resources for food.

Anything that can be done to increase the donations to our member food banks will be a tremendous and welcome help to our food banks and the hungry citizens we serve. Please consider donating when applying for your fishing or hunting licenses this year!

Click here to get your license and donate!

Many Hoosier Seniors Forced to Forgo Foods Needed to Stay Healthy

2010-05-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

In respect for the nearly 188,000 Hoosiers age 60 and older living below or just above the poverty line, I urge you to reach out to your local food bank and help those at risk of hunger.

After a lifetime of work, many seniors are living on fixed incomes that often force them to choose between paying for healthcare or prescriptions and buying groceries. Because they often need the medication to maintain their health, many elderly Hoosiers must forgo the foods they need to stay healthy. Limited mobility and dependence on outside assistance makes seniors particularly vulnerable to hunger.

Food insecurity among this vulnerable population is especially troublesome because they have unique nutritional needs and may require special diets for medical conditions. According to the first statewide study on hunger and food banks, Hunger in America 2010: Indiana State Report, among client households with seniors, 25 percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care. 29 percent reported choosing between paying for food and paying for heat or utilities.

The food banks near you depend on your generosity to ease these seniors’ burdens. The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry serve more than 38,000 seniors aged 65 and older each year, and partner with local meals on wheels programs and other food transport organizations to get food to those seniors that need it most. In addition, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry member food banks have senior brown bag programs, senior meal delivery, or participate in federal programs that focus on senior hunger. All of these food banks are members of Feeding America, the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, Feeding America serves more than 37 million hungry Americans annually, including nearly 3 million seniors.

To find out how you can join the fight against hunger in Indiana, please visit www.feedingindianashungry.org to find a food bank near you. Together, we can provide hope to hungry Hoosiers.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc., the state association of food banks.

Spencer Day Partners with Feeding America for Release of "Better Way"

2010-04-12T10:38:00.001-04:00

Each Better Way Download Equals Seven Meals for those Affected by Hunger

You probably don't think twice about when or how your next meal may come - but for 1 in 8 Americans who struggle to make ends meet, this is a harsh reality. In partnership with Feeding America, Spencer Day will be donating 100% of the proceeds of the sale of his track "Better Way" from his Concord Records release "Vagabond", in the months of March, April and May to Feeding America. For each download purchased, seven meals will be able to be provided by Feeding America to those struggling with hunger in the United States.

Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are confined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the country, or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different. Right now, millions of Americans are struggling with hunger. These are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days. It's time to educate ourselves about America's hunger problem and act to prevent it.

Spencer Day is one man who is taking action, in support of a leading hunger prevention organization called Feeding America. A singer/songwriter who recently cracked the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Top 10 Charts, Day knows personally how life's path can sometimes lead to foodless nights. When Day made the leap of faith to follow his dreams of becoming a musician and moved to Los Angeles, he spent several weeks living out of his car and skipped meals when he simply couldn't afford to eat. "Too many people think that because our country has such an abundance of wealth, everyone is afforded the same opportunities. This simply isn't true. I want to be a part of changing the attitude many Americans have towards the hungry and the homeless," says Day. "Feeding America is an invaluable service for people who are trying to get their life together but are struggling to cope with the increasingly high cost of living. I am involved because I know what it feels like to go to sleep hungry, not knowing when or how the next meal is coming."

Day and Feeding America have produced a video that shares facts, figures and images related to the growing hunger problem in the United States and the Feeding America programs. More than one-third of households that benefit from Feeding America's programs report having to choose between food and other basic necessities, such as rent, utilities and medical care. Feeding America is annually providing food to 37 million Americans, including 14 million children.

To kick off this campaign, Spencer Day, in support of Feeding America, performed a benefit concert at the Upright Café in Los Angeles to raise awareness and take action against hunger in the United States. David Arquette, Chairman of the Feeding America Entertainment Council, who served as host for the evening said, "Spencer Day is a true emerging talent, I'm proud to call myself a fan and a friend. We are grateful for his devotion to spreading the vital and necessary good work of Feeding America through his music and his generosity."

You can purchase Spencer Day's Better Way MP3 at Concord Music Group.

Better Way | Spencer Day from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

David Arquette Joins the Fight to Stamp Out Hunger!

2010-04-05T13:02:00.001-04:00

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be on May 8th this year! Please participate to bring non-perishable items to those in need in your community.

April: Focus on Volunteerism

2010-04-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, I urge you to reach out to your local food bank and help those at risk of hunger.

Hunger is a silent epidemic, affecting nearly one in six Americans. Though we cannot tell who is hungry from the clothes people wear, the jobs they work, or the color of their skin, 49 million people in this country do not have access to enough food for an active and healthy life.

Every year, food banks across the country, like the ten member food banks of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, serve millions of hungry Americans, people who are unable to afford enough food to feed their families. At the same time, Feeding America, the country’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, distributes more than 2 billion pounds of food and grocery products to more than 37 million people annually.

Last year the members of Feeding Indiana's Hungry distributed 42 million pounds of food to over 1,500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency food organizations. We expect to distribute even more this year.

We would not be able to continue this critical work without the help of volunteers. Approximately 72 percent of food pantries and 52 percent of soup kitchens served by the Feeding Indiana's Hungry network report relying entirely on volunteers and have no paid staff. In addition to helping food banks save time and labor costs, volunteerism helps raise awareness of hunger in America and promotes community involvement in solving the problem.

Ways you can help end hunger:
• Volunteer Your Time
Volunteer an hour once a week, once a month or once a year.
• Food Drives
Organize a work place, club or church food drive.
• Plant-A-Row
Plant a row of fruits and vegetables in your garden and donate the harvest to your local food bank.

Did you know?

• Between 2008 and 2009, 63 million Americans have volunteered for an organization at least once. (Source: Volunteering in the United States, 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Approximately 30 percent of women and 23 percent of men did volunteer work between September 2008 to September 2009. (Source: Volunteering in the United States, 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• 43.7 percent of volunteers were asked to become a volunteer, most often by someone in the organization. (Source: Volunteering in the Unite d States, 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• Collecting, preparing, distributing or serving food was the third most commonly reported volunteer activity (26.3 percent of volunteers). (Source: Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings 2002-2005 Page 13)

• Approximately 68 percent of pantries, 42 percent of soup kitchens, and 15 percent of shelters rely entirely on volunteers nationally. (Source: Hunger in America 2010)

• Over 600,000 volunteers provided a total of over 6 million hours of service to Feeding America members in 2009. (Source: Network Activity Report 2009Table OPS04)

• The minimum value of volunteer labor donated to Feeding America members is estimated at over $ 50 million in 2009. (Source: Network Activity Report 2009 Table OPS04)

March Against Hunger is Rolled Out Statewide

2010-03-17T12:08:00.000-04:00

Attorney General Zoeller announces second annual March Against Hunger

2010-03-11T13:08:00.000-05:00

Food drive a friendly competition among lawyers to generate donations for 10 regional food banks

Citing the unprecedented need for food donations in light of the continuing recession, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and the Indiana State Bar Association today set into motion the second annual March Against Hunger statewide food drive.

Law firms and lawyers compete to raise the largest amounts in donations, both monetarily and in quantities of nonperishable foods, to benefit 10 regional food banks. Last year's friendly competition by 45 participating law offices across Indiana generated the equivalent of more than 76 tons of food.

"As I have traveled around the state, it is alarming to see food bank shelves running short of supplies because demand from unemployed families is so steep," Zoeller said. "So I am pleased to see those in the legal profession step up to serve their fellow Hoosiers who struggle to put food on the table. Their generosity reflects a civic-minded commitment to public service that makes me proud to be a lawyer."

Zoeller in his individual capacity is again partnering with the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) and the nonprofit food-bank umbrella organization Feeding Indiana's Hungry (FIsH) to organize March Against Hunger.

A recent study by FIsH found that more than 694,500 people, including 295,857 children, receive emergency food assistance each year through the 10 regional food banks. On a weekly basis, an estimated 117,900 Hoosiers receive emergency food assistance from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other agency, the FIsH study found.

"The food shortage is a significant impediment to having a quality and contributing life," ISBA President Roderick H. Morgan said. "I am confident that Indiana lawyers will shoulder their responsibility to help Hoosiers in need. I challenge our state's legal community to share FIsH's commitment to end hunger - and to spread the word."

“We appreciate Attorney General Zoeller's dedication to hunger relief, and are grateful for the generosity of Hoosier lawyers,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of FIsH and an attorney. “Food banks are the single largest source of food to most emergency food programs around the state, making food donations critical to the help that we are able to provide.”

The competition among law offices to collect donations starts March 15 and ends March 31. Firms may make monetary donations to count as five pounds of food for every $1 donated. Monetary contributions and donations of nonperishable foods will be steered to the regional food bank nearest the donor.

Firms will compete in each of three divisions to raise the most donations: law firms of 25 lawyers or more, small and sole practitioners of one to 24 lawyers, and public and nonprofit lawyers. The largest-donating law office in each division will receive a trophy: the Attorney General's Cup.

Winners of last year's March Against Hunger included Barnes & Thornburg LLP in the large-firm division, the Evansville-based firm Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel and Shoulders in the small-firm division, and attorney Philip Siegel of Evansville in last year's sole-practitioner division.

Hoosiers not employed by a law firm who want to donate can contribute nonperishable foods at a participating firm or by visiting the FIsH Web site at http://www.feedingindianashungry.org/.

"Lawyers deal every day with the problems of their clients - problems that at their root are often economic in nature. So as a lawyer, I am optimistic that people in my profession will dig a little deeper despite their own financial challenges to meet the needs of Hoosiers served by food banks," Zoeller added.

Donation totals and competition winners will be announced after the March Against Hunger food drive concludes March 31. A list of participating firms will be posted at http://www.atg.in.gov/.

NOTE: To read the landmark study on hunger in Indiana, visit http://www.feedingindianashungry.org/.

ConAgra Brands Working to End Child Hunger

2010-03-10T14:02:00.000-05:00

Nearly one in four children in America doesn't know where their next meal is coming from. Here in Indiana, the ten member food banks of Feeding Indiana's Hungry served almost 296,000 children in 2009.

ConAgra Foods will donate one meal, up to 2.5 million, with each purchase of the Peter Pan, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Orville Redenbacher's, Marie Callender's, Hunt's Manwich, and Chef Boyardee brands. Many brands are taking individual initiative to help fight child hunger, like Peter Pan, which is donating the equivalent of 1 million meals.

Please join Feeding America and ConAgra Foods to help ensure that Child Hunger Ends Here!

Did you know that Census Day is April 1?

2010-02-25T17:01:00.000-05:00

April 1 is Census Day, when questionnaires received by every household in America capture the "snapshot of America" and are submitted to the U.S. Census. It's quick and easy--only 10 questions--but its impact is very important! It's safe, simple, and the information you submit is confidential.

The Census, required every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution, helps determine the distribution of more than $300 billion annually in funding for critical community services, including for social services. For every person not counted, roughly $12,000 could be lost over 10 years in the community!

So please remember to fill out and return the 2010 Census form when it arrives in your mailbox, beginning in March. It's in our hands!

Feeding Indiana's Hungry, Inc. is proud to be a 2010 Census Partner! Click for more information about the 2010 Census or Feeding Indiana's Hungry.

Indiana DOE Seeking Organizations to Host Summer Food Service Program for Kids

2010-02-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

Each summer, after the school year has ended, many Indiana children no longer have access to free or reduced priced school meals. As more families are struggling to make the ends meet in today’s economy, more children are going without proper nutrition. However, many of these children would be eligible to receive free, nourishing meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP). The SFSP provides reimbursement to organizations that prepare (or contract with a school or a food service management company) and serve meals to needy children.

The Indiana Department of Education is encouraging organizations to consider sponsoring the SFSP in order to provide meals to low income children throughout the summer months. Organizations that may participate as a sponsor include schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and residential camps.

If you are not in a position to participate as a sponsor or feeding site, please share this information with other individuals or organizations that might be interested in providing the program to eligible children in their area.

For more information please visit Indiana Department of Education webpage http://www.doe.in.gov/food/summer/welcome.html or call Tina Skinner, SFSP Specialist, at (317)232-0858 or (800) 537-1142.

1 in 10 Hoosiers Rely on Food Banks

2010-02-03T10:23:00.000-05:00