3 common misconceptions we often hear:

• Hunger isn't a problem in Montana
• I can't do anything about hunger in Montana.
• If people would just go to work they wouldn't need help with food.

In fact, over 175,000 individuals received emergency food through the Montana Food Bank Network's network of agencies in 2010. Nearly half of these people are children.

Donations to the Montana Food Bank Network enable us to help nearly 200 agencies across Montana provide food to those in need. People who need emergency food often work, sometimes in mulitple jobs, yet still do not make enough money to provide for their families basic needs.  In the face of rising food and fuel costs, this is an ever growing challenge for over 30% of Montanans who are considered to be at risk of hunger based on USDA estimates. 

2009 US Census data reveals that 21.4 percent of children in Montana live in poverty, while 42.7% live at or below 185% of poverty--which means they and their families are at risk of experiencing hunger. 

For every 100 Montanans, 15.1 live at or below the Federal Poverty Level.  Hunger is a symptom of poverty.  When people don't have enough money to cover their basic needs, they are forced to reduce food quality and quantity.  Hunger has sever implications for the individual, the family, the community and society.  Hunger among children has negative implications on physical health, reduces potenial for learning and academic achievement, and is linked to childhood obesity. 

Hunger has an economic impact on schools, families, public health and the future workforce in the state.

·         Higher health care costs, lost work time for parents, risk of job loss
·         Poor academic outcomes lead to high school dropout, lack of higher education, lack of
       skills to seek better employment opportunities and gain economic self-sufficiency in
       adulthood.
·     A poorly educated workforce creates greater demand on employers and the business
      commuity.

In 2010, the Montana Food Bank Network supplemented local agencies with nearly 8.5 million pounds of food. From Conner to Culbertson, Ekalaka to Eureka, you name a food organization and we probably have them on our list.

For more information on hunger click here.

Please join us in the effort to end hunger in Montana!