AARP Hearing Center
This random digit dial and cell phone survey among 900 adults age 18 and older residing in Oklahoma shows most (80%) Pottawatomie County residents think the state government, local community organizations, and individuals should work to reduce the number of families at risk for hunger in the state.
Key findings include:
- Nearly half (47%) say they or someone in their household has experienced food insecurity, and two- thirds (66%) say someone close to them like a neighbor or friend has ever experienced this problem.
- Over one-third (35%) say there has been a time in the past two years when they worried their food would run out before they obtained the money to buy more.
- One third (33%) indicate taken at least three of the six measures tested to obtain food like financial help, groceries, or food from family or friends, avoided filling a prescription, or skipped payment on a utility/home bill.
- Most (80%) say both the state government and public or private organizations such as churches or non-profit organizations, and individuals should help reduce the number of families at risk for hunger in Pottawatomie County.
- Lastly, but not least interesting, are the data illustrating Pottawatomie adults’ altruism – in the 12 months prior to completing this survey, at least two-thirds say they donated food to a food drive or organization or gave money or food directly to someone in need.
The interviews were conducted in English by Precision Opinion from November 25th to December 13th, 2014. The AARP 2014 Oklahoma Hunger Survey was conducted as a telephone survey targeted to Oklahoma adults age 18 and older living in Pottawatomie County. The questionnaire was developed by AARP staff and averaged 17 minutes in length. For more information, contact Jennifer Sauer at JSauer@aarp.org.
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