In order to better
understand the year-round hunger needs of the local Binghamton area, the Half A
Loaf team worked throughout the fall to survey residents. We are using these
surveys to identify challenges people may face accessing food. The questionnaires
were conducted at food banks, mobile food pantries, community service
organizations, clothing donation centers, and local community events.
Our team was able
to speak with more than 400 residents throughout the fall, including 100 people
in early November at the mobile food pantry held at the Boys and Girls Club of
Binghamton. One of the most prevalent themes that emerged is that there
is a need for more services like the mobile food pantry. While individuals
were greatly appreciative of the one held that day, they indicated that such
services were not available often enough to meet the need.
Our team observed a
surprising amount of elderly individuals in line for the mobile food pantry at
the Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton. Some could not stand easily on their
own, but still waited in line for two hours or more to receive the items they
clearly needed. The elderly residents also expressed concerns that the mobile
pantry food visits closer to where they live don’t come often enough to meet
their needs. Some of the elderly indicated that they traveled significant
distances to receive goods from the mobile food pantry at the Boys and Girls Club
of Binghamton.
A number of
residents were courageous enough to share with our team members their personal
struggles with hunger, and how important it is that organizations and
initiatives are in place to help ease food insecurity in the area. Residents said
that it was nice to talk to someone who seemed as if they truly cared about
them. While we had been a little nervous going into the situation and asking
people about this aspect of their lives, our experience affirmed the importance
of face-to-face interaction in getting open, honest responses to such survey
questions as what type of transportation they used to access food services, or
what their most important concern was when it came to food choices.
To address the food
insecurity concerns that came up in our conversations, as well as the
information gathered in our surveys, the Half A Loaf team is partnering with
the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Broome County Child Hunger Taskforce,
Broome County Urban League, Binghamton Housing Authority, Community Hunger
Outreach Warehouse of Broome County (CHOW), and United Health Services (UHS).
We’ve come together to produce clearer and more prevalent information about
food distribution options in the Binghamton area, which includes creating a
comprehensive database and inventory of food-related services, as well as
creating an easy-to-read, simple informational handout that any resident in the
Binghamton area can use to find food-related services. The team realizes that
while many food-related services are available, many people are unaware of all
the services that might benefit them.
Andrea C. Doyle
Half A Loaf team member
