Results of hunger study show large increase in those needing food

Officials at the Northern Illinois Food Bank say the increase in the number of people in the region needing food assistance is "exploding", and the recession is to blame.

Sadly, the statistics to be released today from a national hunger study aren't surprising given the rising levels of unemployment and poverty, the food bank's director H. Dennis Smith said.

"The root cause of hunger is poverty, or lack of sufficient income, and the suburbs are not immune to this phenomenon," Smith said. "When budgets are tight, people have to make choices between living essentials like medicine, housing, clothing, heat or food."

The results of the Hunger in America 2010 study, done by the Chicago-based Feeding America, showed a substantial increase in the numbers of people needing food assistance since the last survey was done in 2006.

The study reported that more than 61,500 different people in any given week receive food assistance across the 13 counties served by the NIFB. That represents a 65 percent increase from the 37,000 in 2006, officials said. The NIFB serves DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties among others.

Smith said three factors are behind the jump.

"You have a growth in population, growth in poverty and high unemployment," Smith said. "With the exception of DuPage County, the unemployment rate in all counties is above 10 percent. You are seeing the effects of the recession."

Smith said he found the most recent United States Census bureau statistics particularly disturbing. There were 269,280 people living in poverty in the collar counties in 2007, defined as a family of four living on $22,050 a year. Of those, 96,000 were children.

"We need to be mindful of those children and also senior citizens," Smith said. "There is an element of the population that have no control over their destiny."

The study also dispelled some myths, Smith said.

"Some people have a stereotype that people using the food pantries are just lazy and don't want to work," he said. "But 43 percent of the households include at least one employed adult. These are working, but underemployed families."

And many of those underemployed who ask for food are first-time visitors to local food charities, pantry directors say.

Sandra Wolf runs the Schaumburg Township food pantry in Hoffman Estates. She's seeing many new faces.

"Last year, we were serving 250 families a month. This year, it's 350 a month. A high percentage of those are first-time visitors," Wolf said. "Some of them used to donate food, now they are asking for it. Some have never asked for help before."

Lake Villa Township Supervisor Dan Venturi said he can sometimes spot the first-timers by their cars.

"Someone may drive in with a Lexus. These are people who have lost good jobs and their circumstances have changed," Venturi said. "They were otherwise affluent before the economy turned."

The NIFB provided 27 million pounds of food in 2009 and is on pace to deliver 35 million pounds this year. They provide food for more than 500,000 people yearly. Nearly 700,000 people in Cook County also rely on supplemental food provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. That's up from 500,000 in 2006.

When and if the economy improves, it's not likely those numbers will drop for years, Smith said.

"I'm afraid there won't be a quick turnaround," he said. "It will take several years. It's a deep hole to dig out of."

The need is daunting, but Smith said the average person can help.

"Get involved. You can volunteer at a pantry, sponsor a food drive or donate money," he said. "Becoming aware of the need is essential."