Working Poor study from the Greater Chicago Food Depository

Working Poor Study from the Greater Chicago Food Depository
In 2007, the Greater Chicago Food Depository conducted interviews with 301 working poor residents of Cook County on their level of food security and their usage of food assistance programs.

For the purpose of this study “working poor” is defined as “individuals who worked at least 20 hours per week for at least 27 weeks in the last year” but whose income is less than 175% of the federal poverty level. Put into real terms this would include a family of four with one person working part-time, and earning $36,137 or less. “Food insecurity” is defined as not having enough money for food, not having enough money to maintain a balanced diet, reducing meal sizes or skipping meals to stretch the amount of food that is affordable, or going hungry.

61% of respondents had experienced food insecurity in the last year.

49% reported three or more conditions of food insecurity.

Of those experiencing some level of food insecurity 30% did not access any kind of food assistance program. Only 22% had used a food pantry. Of the remaining 78% that did not access food pantries, 45% had at least one child in a free or reduced-price school lunch program, 43% had at least one person receiving Food Stamps, 16% had at least one person receiving assistance from Women, Infants and Children. It is important to remember that even with these food assistance programs, these people are still experiencing food insecurity.

Less than 1% used a soup kitchen, Meals-on-Wheels delivery, or city emergency food box.

While these numbers are important and interesting, the key to this data, and the real purpose of this study, is the “why” of it. We know the need is there. What is it that stops a hungry person or family from accessing the food resources that are available?

40% of the working poor respondents who were not accessing food assistance programs stated that they believe that “people will look down on you if they know you use a food pantry”. 35% stated that they did not access food pantries out of a lack of information. People stated that they were more likely to seek assistance from family members than from food assistance programs.
So what do we do with this? Is this okay? How do we go about making sure that people have the information they need to be able to access food pantries? What can be done to try to alleviate the sense of being looked-down-on that is associated with accessing food pantries?

There is only so much that can be done through policies and laws, but policies and laws cannot change the sense of shame that is deterring 40% of working poor from accessing food. Not some luxury or hobby or treat, but food. Food is a basic human need, and access to food is a basic human right. Policies can work on making food assistance more available and increasing resources. But it will take a social change, a change in the way that we look at and treat people in poverty to help people in need feel comfortable accessing such a basic need as food.