Report Finds More Going Hungry In San Mateo, Santa Clara Counties

SANTA CLARA (KCBS) -- A just released Silicon Valley Hunger Index shows a huge increase in people in need of food in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The problem according to the Hunger Index is that the high cost of living in the Bay Area is forcing more people to go hungry.

Drew Starbird is the Dean of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, which authored the report.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

"We're seeing increasing numbers of households in the less than $10,000 per year category, more households in the less than $20,000 per year category," he said. "Every one of those households has people who at risk of hunger."

Cindy McCown, senior director of programs at the Second Harvest
Food Bank said many who are eligible to get food stamps aren't taking advantage of the program.

"If people don't take advantage of those opportunities for those programs then they are unutilized resources," she said.

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