OUR INSPIRATION | Our Big Kitchen Los

Poverty is not being without money, but being without hope

The statistics below perpetually motivate us to help those who feel hopeless.

Hunger, along with poverty, continues to be a very real problem.

In Los Angeles, millions of people have experienced food insecurity in the past year alone. The prices of essentials like food, health, education, housing, utilities and transport have climbed so much in recent years that people who are already struggling are susceptible to sudden bill shock and financial disadvantage. The current economic climate means people are turning to charity who would never have dreamed of seeking such support in the past. So it’s not just traditionally vulnerable groups such as the homeless seeking food relief, but also the aged, single parents and the working poor.

Children, a casual worker or an elderly couple could be going hungry anywhere, anytime. When bills have to be paid, food becomes a discretionary item.

Some statistics to consider:

In 2017, 40 million people struggled with hunger in the United States.[1]
The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2017, an estimated 15 million households were food insecure. [2]
In America, hunger is caused by poverty and financial resources at both the national and local levels.[3]
45 million Americans rely on stipends from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy food each month, according to the USDA. 2/3 of these benefits go to households with children.[4]
1 in 6 American children may not know where their next meal is coming from.[5]
22 million children in America rely on the free or reduced-price lunch they receive at school, but as many as 3 million children still aren't getting the breakfast they need.[6]
Children who experience food insecurity are at a higher risk of developing asthma, struggling with anxiety or depression, and performing poorly in school or physical activities.[7]
15% of families living in rural areas experience food insecurity, compared with 11.8% living in suburban and metropolitan areas.[8]
People of color are disproportionately affected by higher risk of hunger. 22.5% of Black households and 18.5% of Latinx/Hispanic households experienced food insecurity in 2018.[9]
These 8 states have the highest rates of food insecurity in the United States: Mississippi (18.7%), Louisiana (18.3%), Alabama (18.1%), New Mexico (17.6%), Arkansas (17.5%), Kentucky (17.3%), Maine (16.4%), Oklahoma (15.2%).[10]
In 2017, households with children had a substantially higher rate of food insecurity (15.7%) than those without children (10.1%).[11]

Charities are experiencing an alarming increase in demand. According to the latest Foodbank Hunger Report, 2020 saw 31% of Australians experiencing food insecurity seek food assistance at least once per week. That's twice as many as reported for 2019.

The good news is that you can help us feed those in need!

Through donations, event bookings and volunteer efforts, we're able to provide meals and a place of community for thousands of New South Wales residents.