Philadelphia Tops Nation’s Hunger List

Despite the fact that Philly is constantly being told to slim down and shape up, the latest “Food Hardship in America” report ranked our city “fourth highest in the nation for food hardship.” Even more eye-opening: In 2010, one in five Americans—one in five—struggled to afford enough food for themselves and their families.

Carey Morgan, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, says this should be a red flag for policymakers.

“Unless people start coming out and telling legislators that this problem is unacceptable, nothing is going to be done at the higher policy level that’s going to have an impact,” she told KYW Newsradio today.

The report doesn’t surprise Pamela Jones, the food coordinator for True Vine Baptist Church at 5th and Lehigh in North Philadelphia. Sometimes, she says, she has to turn away some of the people who come looking for food.
“We do the best that we can. But if we had more help financially, that would help to make ends meet,” she says.

A reminder to all of us to, at the very, very least, contribute to area food drives and do what we can to support local food banks and amazing organizations like the Food Trust, which is working to eliminate food deserts in our area.