Heartland Food Reservoir, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 doing business as the Heartland Food Bank. The organization was incorporated in 2007 with the sole purpose of establishing a food bank in Highlands County. The Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America food bank network, the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the United States.
Currently we are partnering with more than 23 local pantries to help distribute food to those who are in need. More than 662,933 lbs. of food have been processed through our food bank since its opening. A large portion of this food would have never made it bank to Highlands county to be distributed to the pantries if Heartland Food Bank had not been established.
Hunger in Highlands County
32% of the children in Highlands County are food insecure.
77% of children's families are income-eligible for federal nutrition programs.
18.5% of residents in Highlands County are food insecure.
80% of residents are income-eligible for federal nutrition programs.
Hunger in Florida
One third of households have at least one person working.
50% of clients in Florida report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities.
The Florida Association of Food Banks distributed over 109 million pounds of food to member Food Banks in 2010.
Food Banks typically leverage $12 worth of food for every $1 received.
Data Sources:
- 2011 Feeding America Map the Meal Gap
- Florida Association of Food Banks
In the News
"Highlands County's need to supply food for needy residents is big, and it's growing as the economy struggles. According to food pantry officials, most of the people they serve work full time, butcannot afford to put adequate food on their tables. A local food bank will make a huge difference in our pantries' ability to feed people. As a community we must do whatever it takes to make the distribution center a reality." Highlands Today, March 24, 2008.
"The main advantage of having a food bank in our area is so that the food that is donated in Highlands County by our grocery stores and out restaurants stays in Highlands County to service the families who need help putting food on their tables." Highlands Today, October 7, 2010
