“I have a master's degree; it is embarrassing. I had an awesome job, but faced horrible health issues and got fired.”
“We lost our home due to foreclosure. We were facing eviction and short on money. At the end of the month nothing was left.”
“My husband passed and I lost the income he had. I am working but can't even cover the mortgage. I will be homeless with two dogs if someone can't help.”
Learning exactly why people need a food pantry can help those who serve them better tailor their services to the needs of their clients.
Cynthia Bott, Ph.D., associate professor of social work, and Sarah Toledano, associate director
of the Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE) surveyed more than 200 clients of Food Pantries for the Capital District and learned that their growing home delivery service is making a big difference.
They presented their peer-reviewed findings at the annual Food Summit held June 12 at the Armory at Sage in Albany. It was hosted by the Alliance for a Hunger Free New York.
The clients were those who utilized home delivery service by pantries in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, which the Food Pantries started a few years ago on an emergency basis but has since built into a more regular service.
Their presentation, a fed talk titled “Home Delivery: Why it Matters” showcased several key findings. The top four reasons for needing home delivery were transportation challenges, disability, issues with “getting around,” and child care. Recipients differed from the general population by being older (average age of 45.5, compared to 38 nationally), almost 80 percent female, having higher rates of state and federal designated disabilities, lower rates of having a high school diploma, and lower monthly household income.
“Our focus was on how home delivery strengthens the safety net for our most vulnerable individuals,” said Bott.
The team’s survey results will help the Food Pantries better determine what works well and what doesn’t, and what food items are most needed. It will help them plan everything from pantry stocking to delivery plans to fundraising.
Bott explained that honest responses are the most helpful for this kind of survey work, but said that respondents “feel bad giving any negative feedback.”
“They really are grateful for everything they receive,” she said. “They don’t waste anything either, and often share with neighbors if they can.”
“Working with the Food Pantries for the Capital District and Dr. Bott on this consumer study was an honor for me,” said Toledano. “I feel very lucky to be able to work at Siena College in the Center for Academic Community Engagement where we value partnering with community organizations to build capacity in the Capital Region.”