Study: More Idahoans going hungry than ever before

More Idahoans are going hungry now than ever before, according to a new, once-every-four-years study released today by the Idaho Food Bank and “Feeding America,” a national group. The numbers are up sharply - 142,200 Idahoans received emergency food last year, a 59 percent increase from 2006. “One of the messages we’re sending to the Legislature is to increase the dialogue about the partnership between the non-profit charitable sector and the public system,” said Karen Vauk, president and CEO of the Idaho Food Bank. “Neither of us can really do it on our own. … We couldn’t meet the need, there’s no way.”

The Food Bank released the report in a hearing room at the state Capitol today. Among its findings: Only 36 percent of households receiving food from emergency food banks are on food stamps; many said they had to choose between paying for food, heat, rent, or medical care; and Idaho currently has the second-fastest growing food stamp case load in the nation.