Latest news with #FeedingAmerica
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Study: New Mexico ranks 4th in the nation for childhood hunger
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A recent study shows children in New Mexico are more at risk of hunger than almost anywhere else in the country. Roadrunner Food Bank said they are doing all they can, but are worried about potential federal funding cuts that help put food on tables. According to Feeding America's 2025 Map the Meal Gap national study, New Mexico places 4th in the nation for childhood hunger. Roadrunner Food Bank said the data is similar to years past. According to the study, 1 in 6 people in the state, and 1 in 4 children, are food insecure. 'There is plenty of food in this country. There is plenty of food in this state. There is plenty of food to feed everyone who needs it. It is access that is the problem,' said Communications Manager for Roadrunner Food Bank Jimmy Himes-Ryann. Story continues below Trending: Rio Rancho High baseball player accused of urinating in water jug no longer faces charges News: VIDEO: Albuquerque man accused of killing 14 dogs denies accusations Environment: Researcher explains why earthquakes are rattling parts of New Mexico Access is what Roadrunner is working to improve. The food bank worries about potential cuts to SNAP benefits. That's why they were in D.C. on Wednesday, testifying at a hearing to discuss SNAP benefits, raising concerns about potentially shifting the burden of paying for SNAP onto the states. The food bank worries about the potential need for more food bank services if fewer families have access to SNAP. 'Drastic cuts and changes to SNAP will cause hunger to grow at a exponential rate,' said Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank Katy Anderson at the hearing. 'It would mean more than tripling our current food distribution output simply to ensure comparable access to what is available today.' Roadrunner Food Bank said their services are especially important right now as children are on summer break and may be missing out on the only meal they depend on during the school day. 'The state of New Mexico provides around 300,000 meals to students who go to public schools in the state. The need in the summer is exceptionally high because a lot of students are getting that third meal at school exclusively,' said Himes-Ryann. According to the study, the counties with the highest rates of childhood food insecurity include Catron, McKinley, and Luna. To learn more about volunteering or donating, click this link. The KRQE Cares Food for Kids program also has donation bins at Smith's stores in the metro, where community members can drop off non-perishables, diapers, and more throughout the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Study shows an increase in child food insecurity in Cass County
Like nearly every county in in the United States, Cass County is affected by child food insecurity daily. According to a study released last week by Feeding America called Map the Meal Gap, about 1 in 6, or 18.1%, of children in Cass County are experiencing food insecurity. The numbers mirror Food Finders Food Bank's overall 16-county service area, which is about 1 in 5 children (20%). The service area includes Cass, Howard, Miami, Carroll, Fulton and Pulaski counties. 'Leveraging the data in this year's study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify local ways to support our community,' said Kier Crites Muller, president/CEO of Food Finders. 'Hunger remains an urgent crisis throughout our 16-county service area. When we listen to our neighbors facing hunger and use the study's findings, we can unite to create a future where everyone, including children, can access the nutritious food they need to thrive. 'This mission becomes even more critical as threats to vital social safety net programs like SNAP, TEFAP, and Medicaid could worsen food insecurity for our most vulnerable populations, particularly children who rely on these essential services.' Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon USDA's most recent national and state data report, which showed 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in over a decade. Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the need for the public to join the movement to end hunger. 'Food Finders is thankful to our agency partners in Cass County for being an essential partner in the fight against hunger,' the press release said. 'Their determination and countless volunteer hours have a tangible impact on our communities.' Food Finders' partners in Cass County include: • Emmaus Mission Center ( 19 W. Richardville St., Logansport. Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 4 to 6 p.m. Wed. • Felix's Pantry, 410 W. Miami Ave., Logansport. Hours: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thurs. • Logansport Salvation Army ( 620 Wilkinson St., Logansport. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. • Trinity Episcopal Church, 319 Seventh St., Logansport. Hours: 3 to 5:30 p.m. on second and fourth Wednesday of month, or call 574-753-2733 for appt. Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: • Overall, food insecurity rates increased in Cass County, with 15.8%, or 1 in 7 residents experiencing food insecurity. • Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Cass County, 46% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP. • Food Finders serves communities with food insecurity ranging from 13% in Clinton County to 16.7% in Miami County. • Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Food Finders 16-county service area ranges from 14.2% in Clinton County to 23.4% in Howard County. • In Food Finders' 16-county service area, available data by race/ethnicity shows that 14% of white individuals, 33% of Black individuals, and 24% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2023. Map the Meal Gap used publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. To see more information and view the map, visit For more information about Food Finders Food Bank, visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Quadrupled Need: East Alabama Food Bank fights soaring child hunger
AUBURN, Ala. () — Every Friday during the school year, nearly 850 East Alabama elementary school students head home with more than just books in their backpacks. Thanks to the East Alabama Food Bank's Backpack Program, they carry six weekend meals—two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks—to help them through until Monday. 'We serve 14 different schools in the area—I think the final number at the end of the year was 845—which is a very bittersweet number,' said Neeley Chapman, Programs Coordinator and Administrative Assistant with the East Alabama Food Bank. 'The number was about 250 to 300 just a few years ago. In the course of about two to four years, it's quadrupled.' The backpack program aims to ensure children who rely on school meals during the week don't go hungry over the weekend. The food is kid-friendly and easy to prepare, including staples like mac & cheese and Chef Boyardee. During holidays, the bags are dressed up with themed treats—Valentine's candy or Christmas goodies—to offer a little joy along with nourishment. 'These bags go out every Friday, starting after Labor Day and continuing through the end of the school year,' Chapman said. 'We know they get breakfast and lunch at school, but we don't know what their weekends look like.' Chapman's concerns reflect a broader national trend. In 2024, Feeding America reported that more than 12 million children in the U.S. lived in food-insecure households. That's about 1 in 5 school-aged kids—many of them struggling quietly in classrooms across the country. Studies consistently show that hunger impairs academic performance, focus, and emotional well-being. 'A child who has the opportunity to eat performs better than a hungry child,' Chapman emphasized. 'They're not thinking about the test they're taking. They're just thinking, 'Where's my next meal gonna come from? I just want a snack.'' At the start of each school year, the food bank works with teachers and counselors, equipping them with a checklist to discreetly identify students who may be food insecure. Chapman said younger children often show clear signs—saving food, asking for extras—but as students get older, hunger becomes harder to detect. 'When the kids get older, pride becomes a factor,' she said. 'But one in five children are going to bed with hungry tummies, and that breaks my heart.' The Backpack Program is sustained by a mix of federal, state, and local funding, including support from TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In addition, churches, community organizations, families, and individual donorsplay a critical role in ensuring the program can continue to meet growing demand. 'Financially is the best way to help because this is a purchase program—foods need to be uniform for each bag—but we also love volunteers,' Chapman said. 'Just say, 'Hey, we have a group that wants to come in and pack these bags.' We have church groups, small groups, Rotarians. They give me two hours and we just party—and it's so worthwhile because we know the next person that touches it is gonna be hungry.' To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit their website. 'I'm so lucky that I've never had to question where my next meal is coming from,' Chapman added. 'My heart goes out to every single person who's ever been in that situation. This program is our way of doing something about it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Catholic Charities holding summer fundraisers
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Catholic Charities is a local organization that helps food insecure individuals get the help they need. This summer, they are hosting a number of fundraising events to help with that cause, that they say they need now more than ever. A recent study by Feeding America shows that people in West Central Indiana are struggling. Jennifer Tames is the Assistant Agency Director for Catholic Charities. She said the results of the study show Vigo County has a problem. 'Vigo County ranks the fourth highest in the percentage of food insecure individuals across the state of Indiana and the third highest in the percentage of children who are food insecure', Tames said. To help this issue, Catholic Charities is holding two upcoming fundraisers. The first, the Quick Quack Trail Run. 'It's not a road race where people are looking to get their best time. It's a race that is going to be taking place at Griffin Bike Park on June 21st', Tames said. 'We're using the bike trails there that include things like a water bridge over a pond, moguls, hills, and just all sorts of fun parts of running a trail.' Another event this summer is the Rubber Duck Regatta. Jessica Murphy, Development Manager for Catholic Charities, said residents can adopt a duck for a chance at a cash prize. 'On the 4th of July, you'll have an opportunity to win $10,000 through the Rubber Duck Regatta', Murphy said. 'Misco, our good friends, release upwards of 15,000 rubber ducks at Fairbanks Park. The winning duck is chosen at random.' Both events will raise money for Catholic Charities to help food insecure individuals in the local community. 'We know that our community members step up every time we ask and we appreciate that because we can't provide the services of Catholic Charities without the community coming together to provide the funds for that', Tames said. 'This is a great way, not only to provide the funds, but also have fun yourself.' To learn more information or be involved in the Quick Quack Trail Run, you can visit their website here. To learn more information or be involved in the Rubber Duck Regatta, you can visit their website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Schools Out Summer Food Drive with Second Harvest
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — School may be out, but hunger never takes a break. According to Feeding America, one out of five kids in Georgia are considered food insecure which means they can't always be sure where they'll get their next healthy meal. Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia is working to step in and fill that gap for thousands of children in our area. It's a problem that can be even bigger during the summer months since they don't have access to meals at school. 'Summertime is not a vacation for every child,' Executive Director Mary Jane Crouch said. 'A lot of children and families depend on meals at school to help them get through budget wise and so when they get out of school, they don't have access to those meals.' All of us at WSAV News 3 are excited to kick off our third annual Schools Out Summer Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest. WSAV will be collecting healthy, easy-to-open and eat food items for kids such as apple sauce, fruit cups, pop top canned vegetables, soup and pastas. Our first event is coming up on Tuesday, June 3 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Clearwave Fiber located at 135 Canal St. in Pooler. If you'd like to get involved, you can volunteer to help prep and provide meals or donate to the cause. For every dollar donated, Second Harvest can provide five meals, Crouch said. You can find a complete list of items you can donate along with all of our summer food drive dates and locations at There are 77 locations where children can get breakfast and lunch. Some are not readily available for everyone since some have pre-registered. You can check location near you by clicking or tapping here and inputting your zip code. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
