More than 525,000 individuals, including 183,750 children and 89,250 seniors, receive emergency food each year through Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

In any given week, 55% of the clients receive emergency food assistance from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or emergency shelter we serve.

Of those receiving food:

• 35% are children under 18 years. 8% are 5 years and under.
• 71% finished high school and 23% have some college or a 2-year degree. 5% have completed college or beyond.
• 1 out of 5 are homeowners. Just 5% are homeless.
• The average household size is 2.8 people.
• The average household income during the previous month was $1,000*

*The 2009 poverty level for a family of 3 was $1,526/month.

Many people in our service area report they are struggling with unemployment. 76% of adult clients under 65 years are currently unemployed. 18% have been in managerial or professional jobs, demonstrating that hunger has spread across new demographic groups.

Many must make difficult choices between food, healthcare, and other basic necessities.

• 43% of clients have had to decide whether to pay their rent or mortgage or buy food.  20% reported that they were late in paying their rent or mortgage in the previous month.
• 57% of clients reported choosing between utilities and food. 
• 41% of clients are forced to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care. In that same time period, there has been a 33% increase in the number of client households that include at least 1 person suffering with major illness.