A just-released study by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida reveals that, of the 731,900 persons served by that agency, 47 percent are children, an increase of nearly 100 percent from 2006. The study also shows that 69 percent of clients have incomes below the official poverty level of $22,000 annually.
Other highlights of the Report are:
– 33% of household include at least one employed adult
– 69% have incomes below the official federal poverty level (Federal government definition of poverty: $22,050 annual income for a family of four)
– About 44% of clients are non-Hispanic white, 32 % are non-Hispanic black, 20 % are Hispanic and the rest are other racial or ethnic groups
– 10% are homeless
– 49% of clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for their rent or mortgage. This is nearly a 100% increase from 2006 and higher than the national average.
– 55 percent of clients are having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities.
– 32% had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care.
– 50% had to choose between paying for food and paying for transportation.
The study was based on in-person interviews with close to 500 clients, as well as, completed questionnaires from more than 338 agencies.
