LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly half of Kentucky and Indiana residents must choose between paying for food and paying their utility bills.
That's according to a news release based on the latest research from the Dare to Care Food Bank.
According to the study, 65 percent of respondents said they eat less because they don't have enough money for food.
"That confirms something we see every day," Exodus Ministries Executive Director Shane Schlatter said in the release. "We deliver food boxes to people that are homebound. And we've had seniors who are adding water to a can of soup for days just to survive."
The majority of people who rely on food assistance do not drive themselves to food pantries, and most walk or use public transportation or a rideshare service to get there.
"TARC is taking major steps to improve our customer experience, with more reliable real-time locations for buses, enhanced audio and visual announcements on every TARC bus, and overall operations improvements," TARC Executive Director Ozzy Gibson said. "This new data reminds us that transportation plays an important role in connecting with our neighbors facing food insecurity."
About 42% of respondents said they have trouble locating a food pantry when they need it.
"We know food insecurity is a complex issue that affects individuals and communities differently," Dare to Care CEO Vincent James said, adding that there's now a new website that is more accessible and allows neighbors to find food on days and times that are convenient to them."
The multi-year research project was made possible by support from the Humana Foundation, according to the release. The foundation’s contributions also support access to food and information through Dare to Care’s new website, equitable approaches to serving neighbors, and ultimately elevating the voices of neighbors within the community.
Related Coverage:
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- Making a difference | Volunteers with REACH Food Program 4 Kids combat child hunger in Kentuckiana
- Free food pantry event helps Louisville’s west end residents in need
- Dare to Care asking community to help make a difference during Hunger Action Month
- Food insecurity across Kentuckiana has increased by more than 30%, Louisville nonprofit says
- Dare to Care taking new approach to help tackle hunger in Kentuckiana communities
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