America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network Backgrounder
Who We Are
The America's Second Harvest Network is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Founded in 1979, America's Second Harvest distributed 2.5 million pounds of food to a Network of 13 food banks in its first year operation. Today, the national network secures and distributes nearly two billion pounds of food and grocery products each year through more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The America's Second Harvest Network feeds over 25 million hungry Americans each year, educates the public about hunger in America and advocates for public policies that positively impact hungry Americans. In 2004, Forbes magazine gave America's Second Harvest a charitable commitment rating of 98% — meaning 98% of all product and financial donations received by America's Second Harvest go directly towards feeding hungry people rather than administration or fundraising.
How We Work
The America's Second Harvest Network distributes food and grocery products to its member food banks and food-rescue organizations. The food banks and food-rescue organizations then distribute food and grocery products to approximately 63,000 feeding agencies nationwide including food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, Kids Cafes and Community Kitchens.
America's Second Harvest has developed a remarkably efficient model for feeding our nation's hungry by reducing food waste, thanks to the generous support of more than 500 national grocery and food service companies, individuals, corporations and charitable foundations.
Who We Help
The America's Second Harvest Network provides emergency food assistance to more than 25 million hungry Americans, including nearly nine million children and nearly three million seniors. Hunger, defined as the inability to purchase enough food to meet basic nutritional needs, does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, or sex. It affects the elderly, unemployed, disabled, homeless, working poor and victims of natural disaster.
In 2006, America's Second Harvest released Hunger in America 2006 — the most comprehensive research study on emergency food providers and recipients ever undertaken. Hunger in America 2006 provides thorough data and analysis on the nonprofit charitable sector's response to hunger. Key findings include: of more that 25 million Americans served each year by the America's Second Harvest Network, 36% are from households with working individuals, more than four in ten (42%) live in rural or suburban areas, 39% are children (17 and under), and 11% are seniors (over 65).
