Community Insights

Survey

The research team developed a 10-item survey to quantify the level of need and services offered to address food security, and recruited participants from 37 frontline organizations operating across the five towns to participate. Twenty organizations completed the survey between November 2023 and January 2024.

Organizational Characteristics

80% of the organizations have been providing assistance for over ten years, and over half of the organizations serve 300+ clients on a weekly basis.

Level of Need

Most respondents (70%) reported that the current level of need they are seeing is “Much more” or “Somewhat more” compared to the levels experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations rely heavily on volunteers, and many would like to add additional services to better serve their clients.

Interviews

Of the twenty survey respondents, the research team interviewed half (ten organizations) between November 2023 and January 2024. All five towns were represented / served by the organizations interviewed. The aims of the interviews were to gain a better understanding of the organizations' clientele, factors contributing to food insecurity, and the experience these organizations have faced in recent years. Interviews were approximately one hour in duration. Key themes from the interviews are reflected below. Comments from the survey are also included. Use the arrows to view some of the representative quotes.

INCREASE IN NEED

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

COST OF LIVING

WORK ETHIC OF CLIENTS, LOCAL ECONOMY

SEASONALITY OF NEED

INACCURACIES OF THE DATA

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