Mission:
To create a hunger-free America by distributing food and grocery products through a nationwide network of certified affiliates, increasing public awareness of domestic hunger, and advocating for policies that benefit America's hungry.

Background:
The largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, America's Second Harvest was founded in 1979. Its network now encompasses over 200 regional food banks and food-rescue programs that annually distribute one billion pounds of donated food and groceries to approximately 50,000 charitable hunger-relief agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters. The organization provides emergency food assistance to more than 23 million Americans; serves all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; and works with more than 500 national grocery and food-service companies. In 2003, Forbes magazine gave America's Second Harvest a charitable commitment rating of 98 percent, noting that 98 percent of all product and money donations go directly towards feeding hungry people rather than administration or fundraising. The organization depends entirely on the support of individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations; every dollar received helps it secure and distribute 20 pounds of food and groceries to food banks and food-rescue programs.

Outstanding Feature:
America's Second Harvest released the most comprehensive research study on emergency food providers and recipients ever undertaken: Hunger in America 2001 provides data and analysis on the nonprofit sector's response to hunger. Key findings reveal that, of the 23.3 million Americans served each year by America's Second Harvest network, 39 percent are from households with working individuals; nearly half (47 percent) live in rural or suburban areas; 39 percent are children 17 and under; and 11 percent are seniors over 65. The research study is updated every four years; the next one will be published early in 2005.