Hunger FAQs
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What has been the effect of Welfare Reform on Second Harvest Food Bank?
Is it more helpful to donate food or money?
Where does Second Harvest Food Bank receive its funding from?
Who is a typical client of Second Harvest Food Bank?
How does the Food Bank fight hunger?
Who established Second Harvest Food Bank?
How has the Food Bank grown over the years?
Where is the First Harvest Food Bank or where does the name Second Harvest Food Bank come from?
Where does the food come from?
What has been the effect of Welfare Reform on Second Harvest Food Bank?
The Food Bank has seen a significant 40% increase in the average number of people served over the past 1 1/2 years and an 9% increase in the amount of pounds distributed to people seeking food assistance in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties over the past two years. It is uncertain how much of these increases can be directly attributed to Welfare Reform. What is clear from recent trends, is that people seeking food assistance are returning for help more often, especially as their benefits run out.
Is it more helpful to donate food or money?
Donating food provides a variety of nutritious, quality products that are often difficult to get donated. Donating money helps the Food Bank to secure and transport donations of surplus foods, helping to keep our overhead low. In fact, for every $1 donated, we can distribute two nutritious meals to the community. Whatever you choose to donate, it directly benefits people seeking food assistance.
Where does Second Harvest Food Bank receive its funding from?
For fiscal year 2002/2003, the Food Bank has an operating budget of $11 million dollars. 86% of our operating budget comes from community funding sources such as individuals, corporations, foundations and special events . Another 12% comes from government funding comprised of city, county, state and federal funds. The final 2% is made up of voluntary donations and fees from program services.
Who is a typical client of Second Harvest Food Bank?
Please see our Services Provided page.
How does the Food Bank fight hunger?
The Food Bank partners with over 670 agencies and distribution sites which provide a wide network of food distribution services throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Food collected during food drives as well as donations from manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, caterers, and individuals is sorted and packed for distribution by volunteers and staff. The Food Bank provides an alternative to waste by reclaiming, safely sorting, and distributing a variety of food products.
Who established Second Harvest Food Bank?
Please see our About Us page.
How has the Food Bank grown over the years?
- 1974 - Produce and bread to 13 agencies
- 1976 - 97,000 total pounds distributed
- 1985 - 900,000 pounds of food distributed to 300 agencies.
- 1996 - 13,859,716 pounds of food distributed
- 2000 - 21,903,267 pounds of food distributed to 524 agencies.
- 2002 - 26 million pounds of food distributed to 670 agencies & distribution sites
Where is the First Harvest Food Bank or where does the name Second Harvest Food Bank come from?
In ancient times, farmers would allow peasants to harvest the leftovers after the main harvest was complete. The concept of "gleaning" leftover produce became the second harvest.
Where does the food come from?
Of the total food distributed, about 33% comes from community food drives. Other donations come from wholesalers, producers, farmers, and food brokers. We also receive food from America's Second Harvest which distributes food obtained through national solicitation to local food banks. Food banks that receive donations through America's Second Harvest have applied for membership and have met national food safety and operations standards.
Why do people need to depend on food assistance?
Food Bank clients need food assistance for one basic reason - intractable poverty. Many low-income people simply do not have enough income to cover their most basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, transportation and childcare. This is not because they are lazy.
What is Hunger? **
Hunger is "the uneasy or painful sensation caused by recurrent or involuntary lack of food" that, over time, may result in malnutrition. When Americans think of hunger, images of starving children living in extreme poverty are the most prominent examples that come to mind. Yet extreme hunger exists only in a few isolated areas in the United States. However, millions of Americans still live in families that are at risk of experiencing food insecurity.
What is Food Insecurity? **
Food insecurity measures hunger in degrees of food access and availability. This measurement provides a better understanding of how many people are hungry and at risk of experiencing hunger in the U.S. Hunger in the United States is measured in terms of food insecurity. Hunger is often a related effect of poverty.
** From Share Our Strength's web site at
www.strength.org/understand/hungerfacts.htm
