The Faces and Facts , the most comprehensive national study to date on the nation's charitable response to hunger. The independent research found that the America's Second Harvest network of emergency food providers serves more than 25.7 million people a year, including more than 21 million at emergency sites, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters.
Children make up a significant portion of emergency food clients.
In spite of employment, many people still needed emergency food. 18 America's Second Harvest's report is in line with other surveys showing high levels of need at food pantries and soup kitchens. The number of families with children requesting assistance increased by 16 percent. Unfortunately, this growing demand for food often outstrips the charitable community's available resources. The Faces and Facts, 1998.