Food insecurity impacts millions worldwide and is a pressing issue across every ZIP Code in the US and within our own communities. In Philadelphia, many of our neighbors face this difficult challenge.
The good news is, you can help. By supporting impactful charities that make a difference, you help create positive change.
Here’s what you should know:
About Food Insecurity
National food insecurity rates are on the rise.
Food insecurity and hunger can have lasting impacts, including on health and well-being. According to the national Map the Meal Gap data from 2022, the most recent data available from Feeding America, rising cost of living, historic food inflation, and the end of pandemic-era government assistance programs that previously helped people maintain their daily lives, have contributed to the soaring food insecurity rates we see today.
Nationally, 44.2 million people (1 in 8), including over 13 million children (1 in 5), lived in food-insecure households in 2022—an increase of over 10 million people from the year prior. This marks the highest national food insecurity rate since 2014 and the highest one-year increase since the 2008 Great Recession, according to the national Map the Meal Gap data.
Food Insecurity in Our Area
In Philabundance’s nine-county service area, food insecurity is 10.8% (1 in 9; 602,830 people), reflecting a 25% increase from 2021. Every county in our service area experienced higher food insecurity rates, with totals higher in 2022 than during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Child food insecurity in our area is 17.1% (1 in 6; 203,360 children), marking a 35% increase from 2021 rates
Race and ethnicity also play a significant role in food insecurity rates. In our 9-county service area, food insecurity among Black and Hispanic persons is 25% (1 in 4), which is over three times as high as White, non-Hispanic persons (8%, 1 in 12). This stark disparity underscores the need for targeted support and resources.
While all of the counties in our service area are affected by food insecurity, Philadelphia is the hardest hit county.Over 15% of the population in 2022 was affected by food insecurity, totaling more than 242,000 people. Delaware County is also significantly impacted, with nearly 10% of the population, or approximately 56,000 people, experiencing food insecurity.
Looking at the bigger picture, across the country nearly half of those affected by hunger are ineligible for federal nutrition programs and therefore must turn to local food banks for help. In fact, 1 in 6 people in the US do just that.
This is why local organizations like Philabundance are charities that make a difference. By providing essential resources and support, we can help alleviate hunger and bring hope to those in need. Together, we can drive hunger from our communities today and end hunger for good.
Think Donating to Charitable Organizations Doesn’t Matter?
Working with a charitable organization in your area, such as Philabundance, is one of the most direct, impactful ways you can make a difference in your community.
Our work speaks for itself. Between July 2023 and June 2024 we distributed over 38 million meals to neighbors in our service area, totaling almost 46 million pounds of food. This is almost double our pre-pandemic level of distribution. Also, our Retail Rescue program recovered and distributed 17 million pounds of food for the first time in our 40-year history!
We also focus on health and wellness through our Good Food Policy. Of the food we distributed and the meals we served, 16 million pounds consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables.
In addition to our work feeding our communities, Philabundance also invests in the long term successes of our food insecure neighbors. We uplift and empower individuals through our transformative 16-week Philabundance Community Kitchen workforce development program. PCK participants receive extensive culinary training and job training, equipping them with the tools needed to thrive in their workplace. Celebrating its 24th year of operation in 2024, PCK has graduated more than 1,000 program participants, many of whom secured stable employment immediately after graduation.
Charities that make a difference don’t just aim to mitigate rates of food insecurity, but to empower affected individuals to end hunger for good.
Our Philadelphia Food Bank and You: Solving Food Insecurity One Step at a Time
For over 40 years, Philabundance has been committed to addressing the issues that affects our communities. You can help, and there are many ways to do so.
Consider donating online, by mail, or by phone. You can even donate food if that’s easier for you. Advocating for change and volunteering are other great ways to help further Philabundance’s mission. No act of charity is too small.
If you have any questions about our work, how it makes a difference, how to give, or how to get involved, contact us at Giving@Philabundance.org. We’d love to hear from you!