'The Hunger Study' survey, conducted by Second Harvest Community Food Bank and Feeding America, has revealed that in the year 2009, as many as 37 million Americans - that is, one in every eight persons - depended on regular food assistance from food banks, food pantries, soup lines or shelters.

Noting that almost 10,900 people, or 90 percent of client households, in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas received emergency food every week, the study - the largest-ever hunger study in America - said that the whopping numbers mark a 57 percent increase since 2006.

Commenting on the rather dismal scenario in a press release, Scott Tomhave, Second Harvest Community Food Bank's executive director, said: "'The Hunger Study
2010' paints a perfect picture that we have a tough reality in many households across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas."

Saying that the study provides a glaring proof of the aftermath of the economic downturn, Tomhave added: "Families face very difficult choices, and it is so sad to say more than 94 percent of our clients are food insecure or have gone without food for a day. However, Second Harvest is dedicated to creating initiatives and programs that meet that need."

As per Second Harvest, one such initiative, Feeding America, provides weekly food assistance to almost 5.7 million people nationwide from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other agencies that are served its 200 food banks.