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Corvallis offers options for the homeless, hungry
Hunger rate in Oregon is 5.5 percent; food insecurity rate at national average of 12 percent
Gail Cole
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: News
While OSU students may feel as if they have problems finding housing and food, homelessness and hunger are legitimate issues, even in the Corvallis area.
According to a press release, a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that Oregon ranks as one of the highest in the nation for hunger rates.
The hunger rate in Oregon is 5.5 percent, while the state's food insecurity rate is approximately 12 percent, close to the national average. These statistics were averaged between the years 2005 to 2007.
Since the report does not incorporate data from the 2008 economic recession, today's hunger and food insecurity rates may be higher.
The study uses specific terms to describe this situation. For example, "high food security" is defined as no reported problems in accessing food, while "very low food security" is defined as many disruptions in eating patterns and food intake, according to the USDA website.
In spite of these numbers, there are several options that Oregon offers to fight hunger.
Oregon's food stamp program offers financial assistance to citizens through the Oregon Trail Card; instructions for application and eligibility requirements are found on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
The program is widely used by Oregonians. The Oregon Department of Human Services found that 440,000 citizens with an average monthly benefit of $176 used the food stamp program in August 2007 alone, according to its website.
In addition to state programs, Linn Benton Food Share is a resource that fights hunger in Linn and Benton counties. According to the organization's website, the food share distributes approximately 5 million pounds of food each year to roughly 70 different agencies in the area.
Examples of the agencies that the food share distributes to in Corvallis include South Corvallis Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul and various group homes. Food-distributing agencies are also found in Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home and Brownsville.
According to a press release, a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that Oregon ranks as one of the highest in the nation for hunger rates.
The hunger rate in Oregon is 5.5 percent, while the state's food insecurity rate is approximately 12 percent, close to the national average. These statistics were averaged between the years 2005 to 2007.
Since the report does not incorporate data from the 2008 economic recession, today's hunger and food insecurity rates may be higher.
The study uses specific terms to describe this situation. For example, "high food security" is defined as no reported problems in accessing food, while "very low food security" is defined as many disruptions in eating patterns and food intake, according to the USDA website.
In spite of these numbers, there are several options that Oregon offers to fight hunger.
Oregon's food stamp program offers financial assistance to citizens through the Oregon Trail Card; instructions for application and eligibility requirements are found on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
The program is widely used by Oregonians. The Oregon Department of Human Services found that 440,000 citizens with an average monthly benefit of $176 used the food stamp program in August 2007 alone, according to its website.
In addition to state programs, Linn Benton Food Share is a resource that fights hunger in Linn and Benton counties. According to the organization's website, the food share distributes approximately 5 million pounds of food each year to roughly 70 different agencies in the area.
Examples of the agencies that the food share distributes to in Corvallis include South Corvallis Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul and various group homes. Food-distributing agencies are also found in Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home and Brownsville.
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