New study reinforces need to combat hunger in Valley

A new study released last eek reinforces what many already know all too well: The scope of hunger in our state and in our community remains anguishing and pervasive.

In its Sept. 12 report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Ohio as having the highest food insecurity rate in the Midwest and sixth highest nationally. Food insecurity, defined by the number of families struggling to make it from one meal to the next, increased in the Buckeye State to 17 percent of the population in 2014 from 15 percent in 2011.

The data validate the slow pace of economic recovery and the ongoing urgent necessity for hunger assistance by compassionate groups such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.

According to the Second Harvest, the region’s leading hunger-relief organization:

In 2014, the food bank distributed a record 9.5 million pounds of food to its 153 member agencies in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and responded to an average of 15,000 requests for emergency food assistance every week.

More than 34,000 children in the Mahoning Valley live at or below federal poverty guidelines. That represents 1 in 4 children in our region who may not know where their next meal will come from.

About 69 percent of the population deemed “hunger insecure” must choose between paying utilities or buying food for themselves and their families.

Many factors explain that dismal data. Ongoing unemployment, underemployment, low wages coupled with escalating costs of utilities, food and other necessities have forced many individuals and families who were once proudly self-supporting to urgently seek assistance.

Second Harvest and its member agencies remain stuck in overdrive to adequately respond to the needs. Throughout September, the food bank focuses on restocking supplies, refilling its shelves and replenishing its treasury in a nationwide campaign known as Hunger Action Month.

We join Second Harvest in urging residents throughout the Valley to actively support Hunger Action Month. They can visibly show their support by wearing orange, the color of the campaign that also is known as a stimulant to hunger. More importantly, they can recommit themselves to making a concrete impact toward easing the pangs of hunger in our neighborhoods.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

There are many ways to do so. Caring residents can organize a food drive, make a monetary donation to the SHFB or volunteer service at the organization’s sprawling warehouse and distribution site on Salt Springs Road in Youngstown.

On its website, Second Harvest includes 30 ways to respond over the 30 days of this month. For example, businesses, schools and organizations today are urged to send photos to the food bank (mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org) of how their members are actively working to help fight hunger.

Thursday’s tip asks residents to call 211 to find out where your nearest food pantry is located and how you can help it. On Saturday, the calendar urges us to collect 30 jars of peanut butter from neighbors to donate to the food bank’s warehouse.

Time and again, the Valley has galvanized its can-do spirit to help the needy all around us. We’re confident that given the compelling and growing need for hunger assistance, our residents once again will display their benevolent and humanitarian character and answer the call to action. Midway through the month, the campaign already has logged significant successes.

The life-changing good works of Second Harvest throughout all 12 months of the year make it a charity for which all should seriously consider opening their cupboards, wallets and hearts to help.