Food Insecurity in Fairmont: Efforts to Make Hunger History
In Fairmont, food insecurity is a pressing issue that affects many residents. Char Graff, a Rural Investment Manager at Second Harvest Heartland, shared insights on this problem during a recent library talk. The goal? To cut hunger in Minnesota by half by 2030.
Second Harvest Heartland focuses on areas with the highest need. Research shows that Fairmont, along with Willmar and St. James, ranks among the top three communities facing food insecurity. Graff highlighted that people experience food insecurity when they can’t afford food, must cut back on meals, or can’t access food regularly.
A key statistic is the “Meals per Insecure Person” (MPIN). In Fairmont, each food-insecure person needs around 735 meals a year. Currently, there are about 830 people struggling to find enough food. Almost 25% of Fairmont’s population lives in poverty, and a similar percentage is disabled, both of which significantly contribute to food insecurity.
Second Harvest Heartland collaborates with local food banks to improve outreach. Graff shared that Heaven’s Table and the Salvation Army have provided over 6,586 visits to households in a year. They distribute an average of 3,387 pounds of food per event, totaling around 444,257 pounds yearly.
However, Graff noted some surprising findings from outreach efforts. Approximately 41% of people surveyed lacked transportation to food distribution events. Additionally, some were unaware of the available food programs in Fairmont. Despite this, many who accessed food shelves reported positive experiences.
To tackle food insecurity, Second Harvest Heartland plans several new strategies. These include bringing food directly to low-income neighborhoods to make it easier for residents to access it. Instead of monthly deliveries, they aim to increase deliveries to once a week.
“The more we meet people where they are, the better,” Graff said. This shift could make a big difference in helping those in need.
To support these efforts, Graff emphasized the need for more volunteers and partnerships to enhance food storage and awareness of transportation options.
In addition to local solutions, there’s a national conversation around hunger. Recent data from Feeding America suggests that food insecurity has increased since the pandemic, with millions of Americans still struggling. Current challenges highlight the importance of community-focused solutions like those in Fairmont.
If you want to get involved, you can volunteer at local food banks, support hunger-focused legislation, or simply spread the word about the food services available. Remember, small actions can lead to significant change in the fight against hunger.
For those needing assistance, Heaven’s Table operates at 909 Winnebago Ave. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. The Salvation Army is open for distribution at 303 Downtown Plaza on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
By working together, Fairmont can make strides toward addressing the challenges of food insecurity and ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious meals.
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Local News,Make Hunger History plan targets Fairmont food insecurity
