Hunger Statistics:
In early 2005, nationwide, an estimated 25 million people relied on food and grocery assistance.
Close to 500,000 people each year rely on emergency and supplemental food provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) and its member network of almost 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
Nearly 1.5 million people in Illinois live in poverty.
Over half a million Illinois children live in poverty.
125,183 Illinois families who work year-round, still need food stamps to meet their nutritional needs.
The Face of Hunger*
39% of the households who receive food from the GCFD include at least one employed adult.
About 33% of those served are children under 18 years.
10% of respondents are 65 and older.
25% of households have at least one member in poor health.
10% own the place that they live in
9% are homeless
41% had to choose between food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
31% had to choose between food and paying for rent or mortgage.
26% had to choose between food and paying for medicine or healthcare.
32% of clients with children stated that children skipped meals during the previous year.
26% of adult clients stated that they did not eat an entire day at least once during the last year.
81% of households reported that the food they bought did not last, or they did not have money to get more.
*(based on study of GCFD in 2005, 438 clients and 324 agencies interviewed)
