Hunger is a very serious problem right here in our community

Among the thousands of people who depend on charitable food programs in Central New York:

• 29 percent are children 18 or younger
  
• 16 percent of households include an active member or veteran of the military
  
• 43 percent of households have had to choose between paying for food or paying for day-to-day expenses (medicine/medical care, utilities, rent/mortgage or transportation/fuel)
  
• 60 percent of households have an annual income below $18,000

Oswego County faces challenges related to poverty and food insecurity. According to recent data, Oswego County has a poverty rate that exceeds the state and national averages, with a significant portion of its population struggling to make ends meet. Factors contributing to poverty in the area include limited employment opportunities, low wages, high housing costs, and barriers to accessing essential services.

In the face of poverty, one of the most pressing challenges is ensuring that all individuals and families have access to an adequate and consistent food supply. While government assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provide critical support, they may not fully address the needs of vulnerable populations and that is where we step in to help!