One-fourth of American families turn to church food pantries for help

Nearly one-quarter of Americans say they have received help from a church-run food pantry in the past, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.

In an online survey of 1,158 adults in September, 22 percent said they are in families who have received food from a church-run food pantry in the past. Among churchgoers, the percentage is 26 percent while just 18 percent of those who never attend have gone to a church for help.

More than one-third of African-Americans (37 percent) answered “yes,” compared to 19 percent of whites and 25 percent of Hispanics. Americans with no college degree are more than twice as likely as college graduates to say yes.

Thirty-five percent of those who say they have used a church-run food pantry identify as evangelical Christians. 

Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research, said while churches have a reputation of providing coffee and donuts and covered-dish suppers for church members, they also are supplying food to many people in need.

According to Bread for the World, about 1 in 7 American households is not always sure where their next meal is coming from. 

Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks, provides food assistance to an estimated 46.5 million Americans a year.

“There is an abundance of food in the U.S., but plenty of people still go hungry,” McConnell said. “Many churches respond by faithfully following the biblical principle of being open handed to the poor and needy.”

(BNG)