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Hunger study shows more falling into food gap

The number of those Idahoans who can't access food stamp benefits because they make too much money to qualify is on the rise, putting more people into this food gap.

BOISE - The Idaho Foodbank announced the number of Idahoans who are food insecure has dropped by a little more than 10,000 people, thanks, in part, to the generous community we live in.

The Idaho Foodbank says in this year’s “Map the Meal Gap” report, Idaho’s food insecurity rate is down from 232,180 to 221,800.

The encouraging news does come with some difficult news too.

The number of those Idahoans who can’t access food stamp benefits because they make too much money to qualify is on the rise, putting more people into this food gap.

“When individuals and families find themselves in that place of food insecurity and they can't make ends meet, they have to make choices and sometimes they're very difficult choices. Have to keep a roof over my family's head, so I’m going to have to pay the rent. I've got to keep gas in the car and keep the car running, so I can get to work and meet the other expenses. Often times the food budget is the first one to get squeezed,” said Idaho Foodbank CEO Karen Vauk.

The number of Idahoans in that food gap has increased from 68,261 to 75,190.

Vauk says that’s where the Idaho Foodbank needs to have a network of support to help provide to those Idahoans and their families.

Last year, the Idaho Foodbank distributed more than 15.5 million meals to all 44 counties.

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