Hunger in Northern Illinois

The DGFUMC Missions Work Area recently made a $1,000 donation to the Northern Illinois Food Bank as part of September – Hunger Action Month. That donation will enable $8,000 worth of food for our neighbors. 

A new study by the Food Bank and Feeding America shows that nearly 600,000 people in northern Illinois turn to food pantries and meal programs to feed themselves and their families – 71,000 people each week.

• Children under age 18 make up 36 percent of our hungry neighbors, while seniors age 60 and older make up nine percent.
• 66 percent of households that use the Food Bank’s services have incomes that fall at or below the federal poverty level.
• 77 percent had to choose between paying for food and utilities in the past 12 months
• 62 percent had to choose between food and paying for medicine/medical care in the past 12 months. 

See below for more information about the Hunger in America 2014 study and to learn about hunger in our community and the United States:

Hunger In America 2014 – The National Report