With each Tyson Foods truck delivery, we have asked our local partners to tell the story of hunger in their state and showcase the good work of volunteers and donors. On Thursday, July 1, we will deliver a truckload to one of the food banks serving the Empire State – Foodlink in Rochester. Here is their story:

The phones ring constantly at Foodlink. I am not envious of our receptionist’s job. We receive hundreds of phone calls each week asking an array of questions. Within the last year the most common question asked over the phone is, “where can I get emergency food assistance?” followed up with an explanation that usually tugs at your heart strings. The economic downturn has increased the number of people experiencing food insecurity from urban to suburban communities nationwide.

New York State follows the national trend. The Feeding America network member food banks have experienced a rise in demand.  Statewide, 2.3 million residents rely on emergency food assistance annually. That breaks down to approximately 570,000 different people that turn to New York food banks’ network of agencies for emergency food assistance weekly. Emergency food programs include food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters serving short term residents. Among all client households that receive emergency food 70% are food insecure, 31% of which have very low food security.

State findings from Hunger in America 2010:

• 37% of the members of households in New York are children under 18 years old
• 6% of the members of households are children age 0 to 5 years
• 8% of the members of households are elderly
• About 23% of clients are non-Hispanic white, 42% are non-Hispanic black, 27% are Hispanic, and the rest are from other racial groups
• 36% of households include at least one employed adult
• 66% have incomes below the federal poverty level
• 7% are homeless

Economic hardships have caused many clients to make unwanted choices. Deciding between food and other necessities such as mortgage or rent payments, utilities, medical bills and transportation has become a sad reality.

Statewide findings from Hunger In America 2010:

• 40% of clients in New York report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel
• 39% had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage
• 29% had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care
• 34% had to choose between paying for food and paying for transportation
• 14% had to choose between paying for food and paying for gas for a car

Locally, 10% or 125,000 people in our service area receive emergency food assistance annually. Within this statistic 36% of our clients are under the age of 18. This percentile is consistent with state and national findings.

This increase in demand has increased the need for food donations as well as volunteer hours. We are fortunate to have a service area filled with reliable compassionate volunteers and philanthropists.  Annually, thousands of volunteers donate 20,000 hours to assist in food sorting, categorizing and packing. Without our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to operate and facilitate the increase our network of agencies is facing. The poundage we receive through food drives have increased significantly over the past year which has allowed us to increase the amount of food that reaches our agencies.

Local findings from Hunger In America 2010:

• 36% of the members of households served by Foodlink, Inc are children under 18 years old
• 9% of the members of  households are children age 0 to 5 years
• 5% of the members of households are elderly
• About 49% of clients are non-Hispanic white, 37% are non-Hispanic black, 11% are Hispanic, and the rest are from other racial groups
• 26% of households include at least one employed adult
• 82% have incomes below the federal poverty level
• 7% are homeless

Last year Foodlink distributed over 10 million pounds of food to a network of 450 agencies in a ten county service area.  Though foodlink is a food bank and our key operation is the redistribution of food, we also have an innovative network of initiatives. We educate and train our clients on nutrition as well as provide resources for them to become self sufficient. We have an array of child nutrition programs; Kids Cafe, Summer Meals and BackPack Programs that provide nutritious foods to at risk youth.

Our  delivery with Tyson Foods is in conjunction with our Annual Summer Meals Kick-Off with the Rochester Rhinos Soccer Team.

When school is out during the summer, many children no longer have access to free or reduced priced school meals. The USDA Summer Food Service Program is intended to fill this gap, but many families do not know this program is available to all Rochester children. Last summer, Foodlink served over 50,000 meals at 40 different site locations throughout the city. This year we already have over 50 sites registered for summer meals.  Freshwise Catering, our food service entity, raises the bar on institutional food by preparing meals with lean meats, whole grains, and fresh produce from local vendors.  Summer Meals with the Rhinos will showcase the importance  healthy food while educating Rochester’s children on health, fitness and wellness.

Recently, a study released by the United Way stated that 40% of Rochester’s youth live below the poverty line. Foodlink believes the WeCanEndThis Campaign, and all of its partners – especially Tyson Foods, play a vital role in helping end not only hunger but childhood hunger.

Food banks of New York State:

• Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York: Latham, NY
• City Harvest: New York City, NY
• Food Bank of Western New York: Buffalo, NY
• Food Bank for New York City: New York City, NY
• Food Bank of Central New York: East Syracuse, NY
• Food Bank of the Southern Tier: Elmira, NY
• Long Island Cares, Inc: Hauppauge, NY
• Island Harvest: Mineola, NY
• Food Bank for Westchester, Inc.: Millwood, NY