Great Plains Food Bank Launches Hunger Relief Study

12/10/2007

The Great Plains Food Bank has engaged a coalition of statewide hunger relief partners to conduct the first ever, in-depth study of North Dakota’s charitable food distribution network.

The goal of the study is to identify gaps in service, track new trends in food donation patterns and respond to the growing hunger needs among working families, children and seniors.

A multi-pronged approach to solicit insight from providers and consumers of the network has generated valuable feedback. Initial comments from face-to-face focus group meetings and paper surveys confirm that North Dakota has a strong and diverse network of support to build on.

Feedback also identified areas where stronger outreach and awareness are needed. In addition, the need for increased availability of meat and perishable food products, like fruits and vegetables and new ways to address transportation and accessibility barriers were noted.

Through conversations with consumers, the Great Plains Food Bank is learning how the availability of resources affects families at risk of or experiencing hunger.

When asked what they would do without the existing support, their responses were disheartening. One mom responded,“I send my kids to my mom’s or down the street to the neighbors. That way I know they’ll get something to eat.”

For more information about the study being done, contact Marcia Paulson at 701-232-6219 or mpaulson@lssnd.org