New data released by Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) provides insights on food insecurity among Lyon County residents.
According to a release, the latest “Map the Meal Gap” data shows that 152,230 people in Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) 42-county service area were food insecure in 2020.
Executive Director Jamie Sizemore of Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland said the data is an important tool for the organization. She noted the Map the Meal Gap is one indicator they use when planning their programs and allocating resources.
Sizemore said while the overall food insecurity rate in Lyon County is close to 14 percent (approximately one in seven), the numbers of food-insecure residents in Black and Hispanic populations are even greater.
In recent years, she noted Feeding America has placed an enhanced emphasis on reaching under-resourced minority communities.
Sizemore added these numbers reinforce the need for equitable food distribution in our area.
Other key findings of the study include:
– A total of 122,944 pounds of food was distributed through Feed America in Lyon County in Fiscal Year 2021 providing enough food for over 102,000 meals.
– Nearly 31 percent of individuals facing food insecurity in Lyon County do not qualify for SNAP or other government assistance programs.
– In Lyon County, the child food insecurity rate is 17.2 percent, with a total of 190 children facing hunger.
Sizemore said with the expiration of many pandemic-era food assistance programs along with the current high rate of inflation and grocery prices, more and more people are facing food insecurity even today.
Every year, Sizemore said, they feed nearly a quarter of a million people but added that work cannot be done without help from their partner agencies throughout their service area.
To support Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland and local people facing hunger, officials with the organization ask you to consider making a financial donation at www.feedingamericaky.org, donate your time by volunteering, or advocate for more federal and state assistance.
