Face of Hunger

The face of hunger has changed over the years, and in central Florida, it is no longer just the homeless seeking food. 88% of food clients stay in non-temporary housing such as an apartment or house, 12% reside in temporary housing, such as a shelter or hotel, and 19% are family members of those currently serving in the US military (Second Harvest Food bank, 2014)

Paycheck to Paycheck

Central Floridians sought food more than 3.7 million times in a 12-month period (Second Harvest Food Bank, 2014). The hungry now includes teachers, professionals, those with a diploma or college degree, military families, etc. are now seeking food to get them by to the next pay check.

It Could Be You

It could be you, a family member, a neighbor, or a friend.

Jobless

Job insecurity can lead to food insecurity.

Food Insecurities

The Central Florida portrait is part of a national study by the hunger-relief agency Feeding America, which found that more than one in seven U.S. households experienced "food insecurity" at some time in 2012, meaning people couldn't always afford to buy the groceries they needed. In Central Florida, the rate was higher, one in five households (Santich, 2014).

Housing First

"This absolutely shows that the Housing First initiative is working," he said of the nationwide effort to get homeless individuals and families into apartments first and then address issues of joblessness, addiction and disability, rather than the other way around. "This is the first downward trend we've seen in our community's history, and it's a moment to celebrate — while realizing there is still a lot of work to do."

Off the Streets

The census found 1,228 remaining homeless people in Orange County, 210 in Seminole and 175 in Osceola. Overall, about 92 percent were staying in homeless shelters or transitional housing programs. Domestic violence and mental illness were the biggest contributors to homelessness, the survey found.

"Compassion and Kindness"

Training and Education

Support and Resources

Can't Hide

We can not separate ourselves from the truth.

Feed the Need

Don't Look the Other Way

Your donation counts...During 2015, agencies in the three-county region reported moving nearly 3,400 people from homelessness into permanent housing.

All Age Groups

Across Central Florida, the study found: • Three-quarters of those needing food are high-school graduates. Twenty-seven percent have some postsecondary education. • In 60 percent of the households served, at least one person has been employed at some point in the past year, if not for the entire year. • Nearly one in five households included someone who is a military veteran or on active duty. • Nearly half 46 percent of food-pantry clients are white, 25 percent black, and 18 percent Hispanic. •