The Faces of Hunger 2003 (printer friendly PDF file link.)
The following is information from Hunger in Ohio 2003 (printer friendly PDF file link.)
As Ohio continues to face economic turmoil, the number of individuals and families served by the emergency food assistance network is increasing dramatically. During a four week period during July and August 2003, OASHF’s annual No Name, Please! Survey was conducted. Respondent households came from all 12 regional foodbanks, representing 8,120 households. This survey is viewed as a snap-shot of the community served through the emergency food assistance network. These are the findings.
The No Name, Please! Survey was completed by 8,120 households.
Of those responding:
| 75% were females 25% were males 23,533 individuals lived in these households. |
I have Downs Syndrome and the job I had working for extra money is not able to keep me working there because they are running low on funds that helped to pay me. |
|
My house burnt down in January 2002. I have four children and one doesn’t live with me. It took me almost a year to get on my feet and out of my parent’s house. My husband and I can not find proper jobs that will support our children. This place really helps at the end of the month. Thank you so much for your help. If I ever become rich you will be the first place I would support. |
Of responding households: 43% were children, 17 years-old or younger 49% were adults, 18 to 59 years of age 8% were adults, 60 years of age or older |
The 2003 Survey continues to find households combining their resources with the addition of grandchildren, relatives, in-laws, and friends who have hit hard times.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the 2003 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for a family of 3 was $15,260 per year ($1,272 per month). The Survey found 97% of these households living at or below poverty level.
|
Monthly income levels of responding households: 21% under $250 18% between $250 & $500 24% between $501 & $750 14% between $751 & $1000 8% between $1001 & $1250 11% between $1251 or more
Average income of these households: $713.11 Monthly or $8,557.32 Annually |
|
The Survey found 13,192 adults, ages 18 or older, living in these households reported:
39% at least one adult not working
28% at least one adult working in some capacity
26%
at least one adult was disabled7% at least one adult was retired
The Survey found 8,802 able-bodied adults (total adults, less retired and disabled), living in these households:
58% are not working
22% are working full-time
13% are working part-time
7% are working sometimes
97% of responding households reported income at or below the poverty level, yet participation in state and federal assistance programs remains low. These households, based on income alone, appear to be categorically eligible to receive Food Stamp benefits, Medicaid, Child Care Assistance, and Child and Adult Nutrition Services.
Households reporting receiving benefits:
|
I’m a senior in high school. I just started housekeeping, I have a baby 1 year old. My boyfriend has a job but is not able to work. He has Epileptic Seizures that are very scary. Welfare said I wasn’t eligible for assistance. I need help with my deposits on utilities. My mother gave us the use of her house as long as we pay utilities. I need job training and assistance bad. Thanks again. R. T. |
Households reporting their benefits had been reduced, cut off, or sanctioned in the past 12 months:
|
Cut off or Reduced |
Sanctioned | |
|
Medicaid |
19% | 5% |
|
Food Stamps |
40% | 10% |
|
SSI/SSDI |
31% | 2% |
|
OWF/ADC/TANF |
32% | 23% |
|
Disability Assistance |
33% | 8% |
|
Child Care |
21% | 39% |
$171.30Households reported their average monthly Food Stamps allotment for a family of 3 was:
According to the USDA Food Stamp Guidelines, the maximum allocation for a family of 3 was: $371
Education level of survey respondents:
41% reported graduating from high school
37% did not finish high school
13% furthered their education by attending a college or trade school
9% had received their GED
Survey respondents were asked to respond to the following open ended questions. Multiple responses were allowed.
What
do you and your family need in order NOT
to have to come to the food pantry?
Respondent households reported they need:
37%
Food Stamp assistance35% a full-time job
30% a better job
23% assistance with utilities
19% reliable transportation
What happened in your life that caused you to come to the food pantry?
Respondent households reported they:
50% ran out of food
42% ran out of money
31% became sick or disabled and are unable work
25% ran out of food stamps
22% lost their job or were laid off
How would you have fed yourself and your family
if this pantry couldn’t help you?
Respondent households reported they:
46% don’t know
27% rely on friends and family
25% stretch the food on hand
25% try to locate another agency
24% borrow money or food
22% skip meals
19% go hungry
© Copyright 2004, No part may be reproduced without expressed written permission
from the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.
