September 9, 2012 TEMPLE ISAIAH

SOURCE: CNN Saturday: Athena Jones, August 13, 2011 NATALIE CORBIN MANNA Food Center

Nearly one in two Americans, 48%, are now classified as having low income or living in poverty. SOURCE: 2010 US Census

Hunger in America is defined by food insecurity. Without daily access to nutritious food, individuals cannot conduct active, healthy lives. Today, one in nine people in eastern Massachusetts is facing hunger on a regular basis. For children, that number is almost one in four. SOURCE: Feeding America, 2010 Hunger Study

32% of the households served by GBFB have children under 18 years of age. 48% of those in need make too much money to receive any form of government subsidy relief. THIS IS THE MIDDLE CLASS. GBFB provides 78% of the hunger relief food in the state. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) has experienced a 23% increase in hunger since 2005, affecting over 545,000 Commonwealth citizens. SOURCE: Feeding America, 2010 Hunger Study

Source: Boston Indicators report byThe Boston Foundation 2011 FROM JANUARY 2001 TO JANUARY 2011 : The Greater Boston Consumer Price Index increased by Medical care costs rose by Housing costs rose by Costs of eating food at home rose by Home heating and energy costs rose by Gasoline costs rose by 27% 50% 32% 31% 32% 106% Despite Massachusetts having a stronger economy than other states, our citizens have witnessed 11% erosion of actual earnings. This coupled with a high cost of living results in “hidden” poverty.

Hunger can no longer be characterized by unemployment or “working poor”. A family of four in Suffolk County needs to earn $72,673 just to be self sufficient. Source: Crittendon Women’s Union, “Massachusetts Economic Independence 2010 Index”

A family of one adult, one preschooler and one school-age-child needs to earn $81,419 just to be self sufficient. Source: Crittendon Women’s Union, “Massachusetts Economic Independence 2010 Index”

KATHY CASALETTO Director, Acton Community Supper and Food Pantry SOURCE: Boston Globe: Lisa Kocian, Globe Staff, November 20, 2011

52% ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT RELIEF 48% INELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT RELIEF Government Programs Government Programs SNAP Eligible Source: Feeding America Meal Gap Study 2011 INDISCRIMINATELY. Almost half of those in need are ineligible for government assisted programs. Food insecurity needs to be addressed; not poverty. Charitable Response

A DIVERSE MANY. 41.3% of adult clients are men. 58.7% of adult clients are women. 24.5% are children. 89.5% are US citizens. 80.2% are high school graduates. 40.0% have some college or 2 year degrees. 28.9% of household adults under 65 are employed. SOURCE: Feeding America, 2010 Hunger Study

A DIVERSE MANY. Over 33% of those in need must regularly choose between food and either utilities/heating fuel, mortgages/rent, medical care or transportation. SOURCE: Feeding America, 2010 Hunger Study

AND CONTINUES TO GROW: Heightened level of unemployment. Increased cost of living. Scaling cost of food. 6.8% UNEMPLOYMENT 4.7% COST OF LIVING 2.9% COST OF FOOD Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics With fluctuating annual federal and state subsidies, GBFB remains as dependent, if not more, on the private sector to keep up with the rising number of hungry citizens.

LEADING PROVIDER OF FOOD. Without GBFB, emergency providers of meals and food would not exist as we know them today.

Direct 8.2% 2,998,581 LBS Other Agencies 4.2% 1,534,845 LBS Kitchens 5.4% 2,004,905 LBS Shelters 7.0% 2,584,223 LBS Pantries 75.2% 27,620,174 LBS BREAKDOWN OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION. Source: GBFB FY 2011

Our Dedication: 89% OF FINANCIAL DONATIONS directly serve our mission. Our Goal: Distribute enough nutritious food to provide at least ONE MEAL A DAY to those in need. Our Mission: END HUNGER HERE.

The Greater Boston Food Bank is a nearly $65 million-a-year charitable business distributing more than 37 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to approximately 550 member hunger-relief agencies and 30 GBFB direct service programs throughout eastern Massachusetts.

With a long standing, outstanding track record, GBFB continues to meet and exceed annual revenue, food acquisition and distribution goals, today providing in excess of 28 million meals to those in need. 90,000 PEOPLE EACH WEEK!

RESPONSIBLE GBFB has a proven track record of “best use of funds and in- kind gifts” to serve citizens who are hungry. RESPONSIVE GBFB is most innovative and nimble in servicing clients in need with indirect and direct distribution. NATIONAL MODEL FOOD BANK GBFB continues to “raise the bar” as demonstrated through efficiency and ROI effectiveness. CAUSE THOUGHT LEADER GBFB leads and works most collaboratively with other stakeholders and change agents focused to END HUNGER HERE.

CATHERINE D’AMATO President/CEO, The Greater Boston Food Bank

Championing food security as a cause priority enables adults and children to go about their lives productively. Hunger is curable. GBFB has enough capacity to meet the growing need.

Everyone has a role in ending hunger in our community. SM