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Recently,
many people have posed the question, “Does hunger exist in
America?” The
answer might surprise you.
Although America is one of the richest nations in the
world, hunger still exists in our Country.
More importantly, it exists in Ohio and in Jefferson
County. Urban Mission is committed to help relieve the
hunger and poverty that families face. Below are just
some of the statistics that show how large the scope of
hunger and poverty are in Ohio and Jefferson County.
From the year 2000-2002, the number of requests for food
assistance in Ohio more than doubled from 2 million to 4.5
million. These
are alarming numbers. Jefferson
county is the second largest consumer of Food bank food and
is the sixth most populous of the 20 counties served by
Mid-Ohio Food Bank
The population of Jefferson County is 72,855 with a poverty
rate of 15.1%. There
are currently 11,001 people living below the poverty rate. Jefferson
County is also home to 18 feeding programs, 13 food
pantries, 4 soup kitchens and 1 youth group all seeking to
fight hunger in our County.
There are 5,624 individual requests for food each
month.
Jefferson
County Poundage Food Requests at
Pantries Meals at Soup Kitchen
1st half
2001
527,202
30,266
8,702
1st half of
2002
695,781
33,742
(5,624/mo)
10,075
Increase
32%
12%
16%
52,295 meals per month, 2002 (12% increase)
In Jefferson
County: 36% of food requests are for children, 14% are
for senior citizens
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MEAN
VALUE OF HOMES
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|
|
County
|
State
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USA
|
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Jefferson
|
65,400
|
103,700
|
119,600
|
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Brooke
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67,000
|
72,800
|
119,600
|
|
Hancock
|
70,500
|
72,800
|
119,600
|
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Columbiana
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79,800
|
103,700
|
119,600
|
|
Harrison
|
58,400
|
103,700
|
119,600
|
|
Belmont
|
64,600
|
1,037,000
|
119,600
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MEAN
INCOME AND PER CAPITA INCOME
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
County
|
Per
Cap
|
State
|
Per
Cap
|
Country
|
Per
Cap
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| Jefferson |
30,853
|
16,476
|
40,956
|
21,003
|
41,994
|
21,587
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| Brooke |
32,981
|
17,131
|
29,696
|
16,477
|
41,994
|
21,587
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| Hancock |
33,759
|
17,724
|
29,696
|
16,477
|
41,994
|
21,587
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| Columbiana |
34,226
|
16,655
|
40,956
|
21,003
|
41,994
|
21,587
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| Harrison |
30,318
|
16,479
|
40,956
|
21,003
|
41,994
|
21,587
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| Belmont |
29,714
|
16,221
|
40,956
|
21,003
|
41,994
|
21,587
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POVERTY RATES PER COUNTY
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pop
|
% Poverty
|
Actual
Number
|
Children
|
Sr.
Citizens
|
|
Jefferson
|
72,855
|
15.1
|
11,001
|
36% -3,960
|
14% - 1,540
|
|
Brooke
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25,117
|
11.7
|
2,939
|
|
|
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Hancock
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32,258
|
11.1
|
3,581
|
|
|
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Columbiana
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111,678
|
11.5
|
12,843
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|
|
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Harrison
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15,886
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13.3
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2,113
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|
|
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Belmont
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69,451
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14.6
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10,140
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|
|
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Totals
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(327,245)
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(12.88)
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(42,617)
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