Rich Esposito: Defining Hunger in Our Communities

By Rich Esposito
Olean Food Pantry Board Member

(Editor’s note: This is the second in a four-part opinion-editorial series by the Olean Food Pantry for the Olean Times Herald and other local media outlets. about solving food insecurity in our communities. Read the original article here.)

I’m a numbers guy. The hunger numbers are staggering in our communities. That reality has sunk in deeply since joining the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors in March.

But numbers by themselves are easy to misunderstand. It might be hard to visualize what a 95.4% increase in food pantry clients the last three years truly means. What’s more, we suspect the actual number to be much higher, as many people don’t know how to access community resources.

Or, worse, they’ve given up.

So let’s set aside numbers for a moment and look at people as people. People with real struggles. People with life goals. People with disabilities. Their challenges aren’t always what you might think – well beyond the realms of politics and social issues. 

While Olean Food Pantry would never identify clients without permission, their experiences typically fall into several different archetypes. These are the faces of hunger:

The Resilient Parent

This person is the pillar of strength for their family. Despite facing their own hunger, they sacrifice to ensure their children receive the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. They could be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or other guardian. 

Reduced-price school lunches and carefully planned trips to the grocery store and food pantry are precious lifelines. They don’t like asking for – or relying on – help. But for many reasons beyond their control, there are few other options.

The Job Seeker

Although we’re no longer talking numbers, there’s one more that we can’t ignore. Roughly 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck away from food insecurity, according to Forbes. That’s nearly half of people who are one job layoff away from an empty refrigerator. 

For the job seekers who visit OFP, each day is a battle between a grumbling stomach and the pursuit of stability. Savings dwindle quickly. They’ve already begun selling off most of their “toys.”

They don’t “look” like a picture of poverty. They may have a nice house, nice clothes and a nice car. The job seeker’s journey notes the unpredictability of life’s twists and turns. Despite their professional demeanor, the once-stable ground beneath their feet has shifted.

The Elder on a Fixed Income

This individual navigates their Golden Years with financial strain. Memories of brighter days now clash with the agonizing choices they must make between essentials like medicine and proper meals. 

In many cases, their spouse has long since passed on. They planned well and saved in their working years. But the dollar just doesn’t stretch as it once did. 

Yet, they remain steadfast and optimistic, drawing from years of experience weathering life’s storms.

The Person with Disabilities

Many individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities also rely on Olean Food Pantry. They face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable to hunger. 

They may have limited mobility or difficulty understanding food assistance programs, among other community resources. The community programs they do access are often siloed, with limited connection to others in what should be a well-rounded continuum of care. 

While many have family and friends that help, some others do not. The systemic barriers they confront emphasize a widespread need for better accommodations.

The Recovering Addict

As if the demons of addiction weren’t enough, they accompany the harsh reality of hunger in a vicious cycle. 

“Slipping up” means money spent on substances rather than food, housing, bills and other necessities. Limited employment opportunities mean no money for anything. No money means depression. Depression means relapse.    

Many Olean Food Pantry clients with substance-use disorders are reintegrating into society after involvement in the justice system, adding more difficulty to finding stable employment. Each day tests their determination in the face of adversity, highlighting the complex interplay between substance abuse, poverty and food insecurity.

These stories underscore the diverse and often hidden faces of hunger in Western New York.  

As Olean Food Pantry continues our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign, we’re committed not only to providing immediate hunger relief, but also to implementing long-term solutions that empower individuals and families to thrive. Donate today: https://oleanfoodpantry.org/olean-food-pantry-fundraising-campaign-2024-25/. 

(Rich Esposito is a member of the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors. He can be reached at oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.)