Gas Prices likely to rise until spring 2012

posted January 18, 2012

As the year kicks off, the corporate office of gas station companies are determining prices. Large jumps of 20 to 25 cents will be likely instead of a series of small, continuous increases.

Due to reduced inventories, rising wholesale prices, and political tension in the Strait of Hormuz, global markets are seeing increases in the price of gasoline. Approximately one-third of the oil sent to the United States passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any rise in the cost of gas would impact the transportation costs associated with delivering food to supermarkets and hunger centers.

Read more here.

More Cleveland area residents are turning to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland for support in difficult times

The Plain Dealer Reports, “The [Hunger] Network casts a wider net these days”, distributing emergency food to 60,000 people throughout Cuyahoga County each month. Children make up almost half of the population served.

The article tells the story of Nisa Park-Bey who was employed as a manager, until two heart attacks left her disabled, as she simultaneously became legal guardian to her nieces. Park-Bey says of the Hunger Network “They help me in so many ways, they give me good, have gotten me a refrigerator and helped me get coats for the kids”.

Michelle Wohlfeiler, Director of special events and marketing coordinator for the Hunger Network described the population the network serves; “There are the chronically poor and people who are disabled, and seniors who can’t get by, but increasingly, we are seeing the unemployed and underpaid who need us for a shorter period, just to get through the difficult times”.

To read the entire article click here: http://www.cleveland.com/holidays/blog/index.ssf/2011/12/holiday_spirit_agencies_that_d.html

Holiday Giving Made Easy

Here is a great and easy solution... make a holiday donation (Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Years or any holiday of your choice) to the Hunger Network in honor of your special person. We will acknowledge your gift by sending your honoree a special card telling them that you have given a holiday gift in their honor to help the Hunger Network feed hungry children and families during the holidays. Enclosed with this card will be a true story about one of our clients that will be helped with their gift.

All you need to do is go to our website, Hungernetwork.org and click on the donate button. Just remember to list the holiday this gift represents. Questions, call (216) 619-8155.

Cost Increase for Thanksgiving Dinner

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner will be more expensive this year. This year’s average cost for a meal feeding 10 people is $49.20, "which is $5.73 more than last year."

The AFBF has been conducting the Thanksgiving survey since 1986. Back then; the cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people was $28.74. Despite the increase in prices, consumers are not cutting back on their feasting plans.

To save money, those planning a Thanksgiving feast can:

- Avoid going overboard with variety

- Use smaller portion sizes

- Make recipes simpler

The complete article is available here:
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/554356/Price-survey--Thanksgiving-turkey-cost-up.html?nav=5061

Suburban poverty rates rising faster in our region, study finds

posted November 4, 2011

The number of people living in extremely poor neighborhoods has grown faster in Northeast Ohio suburbs than elsewhere in the nation, poverty figures release Wednesday by the Brooking Institution show..... With an 8% point increase, Cleveland's suburbs claimed the nation's 4th highest rate of growth of the poor in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.

The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland has been serving the suburbs for over 30 years. Hunger centers are located in Cleveland Hts, Euclid, Shaker Hts, Bedford, Maple Hts, Parma, Lakewood, Berea, Bay Village and others. Similar to the figures released, the Hunger Network has seen an increase of 20-40% (depending on the area) over the last 10 years in the suburban hunger centers with some increases considerable higher in 2009-2011.

Read the full article from The Plain Dealer Here

Beef prices leading U.S. food price increases this holiday season

Posted- October 31, 2011



Beef Prices in the United States will be leading the food price increases as the holidays get closer and closer according to the USDA's latest Consumer Price Index for Food. Meat prices in general are climbing faster than those of other food categories this year, averaging "8 to 9 percent higher" then in 2010. The latest Comsumer Price Index for Food from the USDA shows that food prices are going up by "3.5 to 4.5 percent, while meats, poultry and fish are up 5.5 to 6.5 percent."



The report says that commodity and energy prices are pushing wholesale and retail food prices upwards. As the planet's population increases, additional demand for food will drive prices up further. For the coming year, food prices will depend "on factors such as weather conditions, fuel prices and the value of the U.S. dollar."


Original article available here: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-news/latest/Beef-leads-food-price-increase-132738093.html


USDA/ERS CPI for Food Report: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/CPIFoodAndExpenditures/Data/CPIForecasts.htm

Cleveland ranked as the 3rd poorest city

posted September 22, 2011

A new census report came out today. The American Community Survey shows Cleveland has a 34 percent poverty rate. Which means Cleveland is the 3rd poorest city with a population of 200,000 or more, behind Detroit and San Bernardino, CA.

See the full story here.