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
MEAN VALUE OF HOMES | |||
County | State | USA | |
Jefferson | 65,400 | 103,700 | 119,600 |
Brooke | 67,000 | 72,800 | 119,600 |
Hancock | 70,500 | 72,800 | 119,600 |
Columbiana | 79,800 | 103,700 | 119,600 |
Harrison | 58,400 | 103,700 | 119,600 |
Belmont | 64,600 | 1,037,000 | 119,600 |
MEAN INCOME AND PER CAPITA INCOME
County | Per Cap | State | Per Cap | Country | Per Cap | |
Jefferson | 30,853 | 16,476 | 40,956 | 21,003 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
Brooke | 32,981 | 17,131 | 29,696 | 16,477 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
Hancock | 33,759 | 17,724 | 29,696 | 16,477 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
Columbiana | 34,226 | 16,655 | 40,956 | 21,003 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
Harrison | 30,318 | 16,479 | 40,956 | 21,003 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
Belmont | 29,714 | 16,221 | 40,956 | 21,003 | 41,994 | 21,587 |
POVERTY RATES PER COUNTY
Pop | % Poverty | Actual Number | Children | Sr. Citizens | |
Jefferson | 72,855 | 15.1 | 11,001 | 36% -3,960 | 14% – 1,540 |
Brooke | 25,117 | 11.7 | 2,939 | ||
Hancock | 32,258 | 11.1 | 3,581 | ||
Columbiana | 111,678 | 11.5 | 12,843 | ||
Harrison | 15,886 | 13.3 | 2,113 | ||
Belmont | 69,451 | 14.6 | 10,140 | ||
Totals | (327,245) | (12.88) | (42,617) |