| March 11, 2008 |
Message from Colleen
I’d like to thank Michelle Rageth, the Executive Director of Friends in Need food shelf for her powerful testimony this week before the Housing Policy & Finance and Public Health Finance Committee. Friends in Need Food Shelf distributed more than 48,000 pounds of USDA commodities and provided 46 pounds of food per person at each visit, well above the state average of 22 pounds. Rageth told the committee, “We are seeing so many middle class families who have been devastated by job loss or a health crisis in the family. Many people who had previously donated food to us are now finding themselves in need of our services. We hope that we can help them during their time of need and that they will be back on their feet again in the future. We served almost 13,000 people, which is over triple what it was 10 years ago. We are giving out more food than ever and we really need your continued support.” Thank you for your work to end hunger in Minnesota. Colleen Moriarty Poor economic conditions = unprecedented demands
Did you know that 1 in 17 Minnesotan’s used a food shelf last year? Between 2000-2007, food shelf visits in Minnesota increased from 1.2 million to 1.9 million. Since 2000, food shelf usage has increased 60%. We also know that increases in the number of food stamp recipients are the single best early warning signal of increases in poverty. A growing poverty rate puts pressure on state health programs and other programs for the poor and near-poor. Recent indicators released by the Center on Budget and Policy priorities
Hunger Fighters in ActionWhile many early indicators warn of difficult times ahead, we also know that we have hunger champions that care deeply about our cause. HSM Hunger Advocate
Representative John Benson, a 2007 HSM Hunger Advocate, is creating the political will to end hunger in Minnesota. The Representative is re-introducing a bill to increase state funding for food shelves this session. Benson calls this his most important bill of the session. He asks that all lawmakers consider this increase important too. He sets this bill apart from all others because food is an essential human need, in fact, a human right. Minnesota Vikings Football Club
Support from the Minnesota Vikings through Taste of the NFL has allowed us to support the work of food shelves and food banks in nearly every community in Minnesota – whether large or small, urban or rural. Thanks to the Vikings, children across the state have had increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, families have received increased resources and assistance from their local food shelf. The Minnesota Vikings support Hunger Solutions through the team’s charitable arm, the Vikings Children’s Fund. “Hunger Solutions Minnesota does wonderful things for children’s health and well-being. We are proud to part of that effort.” said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf. Food Support Outreach to Seniors
Hunger Solutions is increasing our participation in food stamp outreach as one of the many ways that we support the fight against hunger. We’re currently planning a program that would specifically target senior’s food support usage in Washington County. Only 53% of eligible Washington County seniors were actually enrolled in the food support program last year. This means that thousands of dollars available to senior citizens in need in our communities is currently going down the drain. Did you know the average food support benefit per month for those 60 and older is $48? Adequate nutrition plays an integral role in keeping adults healthy and independent as they age. It can prevent hunger and it reduces the risk and presence of chronic diseases and related disabilities, maintains the immune system, and supports better mental and physical health. Please view this special webcast from the US Senate Special Committee on Aging Hunger in the News
Growing need puts strain on suburban food shelves Nonprofits feel the pinch of state spending cuts Clinton Offers Child Poverty Plan COLEMAN OP-ED: Bill helps protect American families from going hungry StarTribune ED: Allowing ranks of poor to swell isn’t business-friendly New HSM Hunger Fact Sheets Available
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