i 4, 783, 167 people live in The Greater Boston Food Bankis service area, the nine counties of eastern Massachusetts. (2000 US Census i 3.98 percent of this population(190, 711 individuals)received assistance from The Greater Boston Food Bankis member feeding programs, including food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens. This is approximately equal to the combined populations of Cambridge and Somerville i There has been a 13.5 percent increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance from the feeding programs served by The greater Boston Food Bank since the Americais Second Harvest study in 1997 I The organization is also serving 10. 1 percent more eastern Massachusetts households than in 1997 i The Greater Boston Food Bank agencies serve 58, 301 individuals weekly, approximately equivalent to the population of Haverhill or just shy of capacity at Foxboro stadium i Nationally, the number seeking hunger relief from Americais Second Harvest network of private charities, of which The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member, increased by about 9 percent since 1997 Seniors i Since the 1997 study, there has been a more than 50 percent increase in the number of households with one or more senior adults living in eastern Massachusetts seeking assistance from The greater Boston Food Bankis member feeding programs. This translates into nearly 17,000 households Children i 31.5 percent of households served by The greater Boston Food Bank agencies have at least one child under 18 i 29 percent of adult food recipients said that their children were often or sometimes not eating enough because they could not afford an adequate amount of food. This is significantly higher than the national average of 14.9 percent Hungry families Forced To Make Choices i The hungry in Eastern Massachusetts have had to make choices between eating and other financial obligations 40.9 percent of those serviced by Greater Boston Food Bank agencies have had to choose between eating and paying their rent or mortgage. This is a 29 percent increase since 1997 26.4 percent have chosen between food and medical care 38.4 percent have chosen between food and utilities/heating There is no one face of hunger i78 percent of individuals seeking assistance from feeding programs served by The greater Boston Food Bank have a hor 13 percent of these individuals own their homes 22. 4 percent are homeless. This is a 41.8 percent increase since 1997 64 percent have graduated from high school 9 percent hold college degrees Almost 22 percent are employed This is a 65 percent increase from 1997 The Greater Boston Food Bankis member agencies serve 54.6 percent white individuals 8.5 percent Spanish, Latino or Hispanicï 4,783,167 people live in The Greater Boston Food Bankís service area, the nine counties of eastern Massachusetts. (2000 US Census) ï 3.98 percent of this population (190,711 individuals) received assistance from The Greater Boston Food Bankís member feeding programs, including food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens. This is approximately equal to the combined populations of Cambridge and Somerville. ï There has been a 13.5 percent increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance from the feeding programs served by The Greater Boston Food Bank since the Americaís Second Harvest study in 1997. ï The organization is also serving 10.1 percent more eastern Massachusetts households than in 1997. ï The Greater Boston Food Bank agencies serve 58,301 individuals weekly, approximately equivalent to the population of Haverhill or just shy of capacity at Foxboro stadium. ï Nationally, the number seeking hunger relief from Americaís Second Harvest network of private charities, of which The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member, increased by about 9 percent since 1997. Seniors ï Since the 1997 study, there has been a more than 50 percent increase in the number of households with one or more senior adults living in eastern Massachusetts seeking assistance from The Greater Boston Food Bankís member feeding programs. This translates into nearly 17,000 households. Children ï 31.5 percent of households served by The Greater Boston Food Bank agencies have at least one child under 18. ï 29 percent of adult food recipients said that their children were often or sometimes not eating enough because they could not afford an adequate amount of food. This is significantly higher than the national average of 14.9 percent. Hungry Families Forced To Make Choices ï The hungry in Eastern Massachusetts have had to make choices between eating and other financial obligations: 40.9 percent of those serviced by Greater Boston Food Bank agencies have had to choose between eating and paying their rent or mortgage. This is a 29 percent increase since 1997. 38.4 percent have chosen between food and utilities/heating. 26.4 percent have chosen between food and medical care. There Is No One Face Of Hunger ï 78 percent of individuals seeking assistance from feeding programs served by The Greater Boston Food Bank have a home. 13 percent of these individuals own their homes. 22.4 percent are homeless. This is a 41.8 percent increase since 1997. 64 percent have graduated from high school. 9 percent hold college degrees. Almost 22 percent are employed. This is a 65 percent increase from 1997. The Greater Boston Food Bankís member agencies serve: 54.6 percent white individuals 8.5 percent Spanish, Latino or Hispanic