Hunger
Hunger is a condition in which people do not get enough food to provide the nutrients for fully productive, active lives. Individuals may lack money for food or to maintain a balanced diet, cut meal sizes or skip meals to stretch the food they have, or go hungry. Hunger and poverty are inextricably linked.
The face of hunger may surprise you.
33% are children
If may be surprising to know that over 1 in 3 children in Larimer County is food insecure, meaning they are either currently hungry or nearing hunger. Children who are undernourished are at greater risk for serious health, social, and educational problems. Children from families struggling with hunger may be more likely to:
Repeat a grade in elementary school- Experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills
- Have more social and behavioral problems
7.7% are Seniors
The number of seniors we serve has grown each of the last five years. The Spotlight on Senior Health: Adverse Health Outcomes of Food Insecure Older Americans research project found that food insecurity among individuals aged 60 and older living in the United States has a negative impact on seniors’ health, nutrition, and overall well-being.
Compared to food secure seniors, food insecure seniors are:
• 60 percent more likely to experience depression
• 53 percent more likely to report a heart attack
• 52 percent more likely to develop asthma
• 40 percent more likely to report an experience of congestive heart failure
49% are Working
Today, millions of Americans belong to working poor families. That is, they live below 100 percent of the poverty threshold despite having at least one family member who works. Although these individuals and families strive to secure adequate income, many are often unable to meet their own most basic needs, let alone find the time, transportation, education, and other resources needed to improve their situation. As a result of their severely limited incomes, each day tens of thousands of our citizens must choose between spending their limited resources on food or paying their utilities, rent or mortgage, or needed medical care and medicine.
