Strains in the Safety Net

While the economy is improving, the recovery from the recession is expected to be long and difficult. Charities can anticipate a continued surge in requests for food, housing, and many other social services as people struggle with job losses and other problems triggered by the downturn. The prolonged financial strains on individuals and families are also expected to lead to spikes in crime, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse.

“In our 42-year history, we have never seen a demand for our services like we are seeing now — hunger relief is truly a growth industry,” says Josh Fogt, public-policy manager for Northwest Harvest, a Seattle food bank.

BEHIND THE TREND:

High unemployment. In October, the unemployment rate rose above 10 percent for the first time since 1983, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Some states are worse off, with Michigan facing the nation’s highest unemployment at 15.1 percent. While the labor market is improving, a full recovery is probably several years away.

The new poor. The number of Americans who lack access to adequate nutrition rose to 49 million, one in seven people, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported last month. That is the highest level of “food insecurity” since 1995, when the agency began tracking it. Many charity leaders worry that nonprofit groups will not be able to keep up with the rise in demand.