Over 200,000 Children Served by Minnesota Food Shelves in the First Quarter of 2009

Over 200,000 children served by Minnesota Food Shelves in the First Quarter of 2009; Hunger Solutions Minnesota releases report on child hunger; makes recommendations on improving Federal child nutrition programs

St. Paul, MN (PRWEB) July 13, 2009 -- Hunger Solutions Minnesota released their second volume of Keeping Food on the Table, a quarterly review that tracks the state of hunger in Minnesota. This issue is a review of nutrition safety net programs that help alleviate child hunger.

The first quarter of 2009 witnessed a record year-to-date increase in food shelf visits in Minnesota. Visits to Minnesota food shelves totaled 614,344 in the first quarter. That represents an overall increase of 28%. Child visits increased from 191,756 in the first quarter of 2008 to 236,652 in 2009.

The need for hunger relief in Minnesota is critical. The increase in child hunger is one of the economic benchmarks that drives HSM to increase access to safety-net nutrition programs like Food Support and the Summer Food Service Program

Food Support and other programs help to lift children and their families out of poverty.

"The need for hunger relief in Minnesota is critical. The increase in child hunger is one of the economic benchmarks that drives HSM to increase access to safety-net nutrition programs like Food Support and the Summer Food Service Program," said Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota. "Food Support and other programs help to lift children and their families out of poverty."

In the report, HSM also provides an overview and recommendations to Congress on the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. The Act will be renewed later this Fall. HSM believes that the programs within the bill can reduce childhood hunger and food insecurity. The safety net programs, such as school lunch, breakfast and the Summer Food Service Program, help improve child nutrition and health, and enhance child development and school readiness.

Also in response to the rising need, Hunger Solutions Minnesota (HSM) launched the "Minnesota Food HelpLine" that provides a vital service to Minnesotans at risk for hunger. Callers to the Minnesota Food HelpLine (1-888-711-1151) will receive help with the Food Support (Food Stamps) program and referrals to emergency food assistance in their area. HSM provides multilingual Food Support application assistance and eligibility screening for callers statewide. The report includes statistics from the first month of the newly launched HelpLine.

ACCESS REPORT:

http://www.hungersolutions.org/files/Child_Hunger_2009.pdf

ABOUT HUNGER SOLUTIONS MINNESOTA

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting over 300 agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy. HSM advocates for the maximum use of all federal public nutrition dollars available and works to improve low income Minnesotans' access to all nutrition programs. The HSM Minnesota Food HelpLine (1-888-711-1151) helps enroll low-income Minnesotans in the Food Support (Food Stamps) program and helps callers find emergency food assistance in their area. For further information, visit http://www.hungersolutions.org/ or call 651-789-9843.

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release text ** safety net food support hunger helpline child nutrition summer lunch childhood hunger food insecurity hunger solutions minnesota

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