Hoosiers in need may be hungrier in 2025
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- According to a recent study done by Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, state residents may need just as much, if not more food assistance in 2025 compared to 2024.
The executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Emily Weikert Bryant, said this past Oct. and Nov., they surveyed almost 1000 households that use their services.
The goal of the survey was to gain a sample of what’s happening inside food insecure homes to create a data focused report on Hunger in Indiana in 2024.
“71 percent had to choose between food and transportation or gas, nearly 70 percent were choosing between food and utilities, 60 percent between food and medicine or medical car, 60 percent between food and rent or mortgage, and it keeps going as families are making difficult choices regularly,” shared Bryant.
The study also found two thirds of households are not participating in the United States Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Bryant said that’s because many are not eligible since Indiana’s income thresholds are low.
“As a result of that or any other number of things, because those benefits are really only lasting a couple of weeks a month, we also know that 76 percent of the client households that we served expect to need help from Indiana’s food banks in the next 12 months, at least as often or more often than in the previous 12 months,” explained Bryant.
Based off the statistics they found in the study, Bryant said Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is making a call to action to community members.
“Whether it’s coming to volunteer, whether it’s donating, whether it’s advocating for the right policies to make sure that families have access,” said Bryant.
Attached below is a list of resources where residents can get involved with local food organizations, whether that be to receive help or give it.
Local Food Aid Resources: