Getting a grip on hunger's numbers
Here are statistics about hunger in Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri.
* About 50 percent of the 8,000 homes served by the Samaritan
Center have been added within the last three years.
* The Samaritan Center is the second fastest growing food pantry
among 270 in Missouri, increasing families served by 32 percent last year,
according to the USDA.
* The Central Missouri Food Bank increased service to Cole County
by more than 20 percent last year, equaling about 718,000 pounds of
food.
* The Central Missouri Food Bank is one of five food banks in the
U.S. which gives all food for free. Its budget is $1.9 million.
* In Cole County, student eligibility for free and reduced lunch
status has increased from 26 percent in 2000 to 30 percent in 2003.
* In Jefferson City, student eligibility is 32 percent.
* In Morgan County, it's 59 percent.
* Within the food bank's 31-county service area, more than 6,000
manufacturing jobs have been lost in the last two years.
* Federal poverty level is a family of four with an annual
household income of $18,000 or less.
* According to the 2000 Census, more than 12 percent of the
households in the food bank's service area are at or below poverty
level.
* Only about 55 percent of the need in Mid-Missouri is being
met.
* In the last five years, the food bank has observed more than a
300 percent increase in the need for assistance.
* Within the last year, secondary food supplements from the
Samaritan Center have increased from about six families requesting per
month to more than 100.
* The Salvation Army increased meals served in its shelter by 40
percent last year, from 26,000 to 36,000.
* Vouchers to The Salvation Army thrift store increased from an
average 100 to about 300 in November and December -- a cost increase from
$3,000 to $5,000.
* The Salvation Army saw 213 new families in January, compared with
the average of 75.
* The First United Methodist Church food pantry served 291 families
in 1996, 798 in 2000, and 974 in 2003.