The Friday Knights Hunger Bowl Provides Essential Support to the Local Community Through St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Evansville, IN — The 9th Annual Friday KNIGHTS Hunger Bowl is less than three weeks away, and the staggering statistics of rising food insecurity are the reason to support this great cause.
Rising Food Insecurity
- 47 million Americans, around 13.5% of U.S. households, including 14 million children, were food insecure in 2023—the highest level since around 2014.
State of Indiana
- In 2023, over 1 million Hoosiers (Indiana residents) were food insecure—up from roughly 950,220 in 2022.
- That’s Indiana’s first time surpassing the 1 million mark in at least five years.
- Notably, 56% of food-insecure Hoosiers earned too much to qualify for SNAP benefits—highlighting that many in need fall through the eligibility gaps.
- The SNAP program, serving over 40 million people per month, amounted to around $112 billion in benefits in 2023. It’s among the most significant tools in hunger relief.
- Food price increases—nearly 28% since 2019—have intensified food insecurity.
- Among K–12 teachers, 78% have spent up to $100 of their own money to help students experiencing hunger, indicating severe gaps in school-level food access.
Local Perspective:
- Vanderburgh County—home to Evansville—has a food insecurity rate of approximately 12.1%, affecting over 21,790 people in 2021.
- The per-meal cost estimated was $3.52, with an annual shortfall of about $13.6 million between what vulnerable households need to purchase food and what they can afford.
Food Access & Deserts
- More recent data (circa 2025) indicates an estimated food insecurity rate of 14.9% in Vanderburgh County—above both the national average (13.5%) and the county average—highlighting intensified local challenges.
- 15,300 people live in food deserts within Vanderburgh County—locations where access to full-service grocery stores is severely limited. Notable neighborhoods include Old Erie, Ballard, Bellemeade Bayard Park, and areas near Lynch Road and I‑69.
Poverty Correlates
- In much of core Evansville, at least 45% of residents live below 185% of the federal poverty line.
- Some neighborhoods—like southern Jacobsville—see 70% of residents below that threshold.
- As a reference point, the county’s 2010 census data showed 15.6% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 22.4% of children—underscoring long-standing economic vulnerability.
The 9th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl will be held on Friday, September 12 at Enlow Field at Bosse High School. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m., and the evening will feature a spirited matchup between the Reitz Memorial Tigers and the Mater Dei Wildcats.
While the Hunger Bowl began as a friendly competition between Memorial and Mater Dei, it has evolved into a full-fledged community effort. In recent years, foundations, businesses, trusts, schools, and K of C councils have joined forces to lift up their neighbors through the gift of giving.
As the pantry stretches to meet unprecedented need, your support—whether by attending the game, donating online, or spreading the word—makes a real and lasting difference.
Donations can be made directly to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry online at: https://www.fridayknightshungerbowl.org
Web Page: https://www.fridayknightshungerbowl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FridayKnightsHungerBowl
Knights of Columbus: http://www.kofc.org
Knights of SW Indiana: https://www.facebook.com/kofcswindiana
For more information on the Knights of Columbus and Hunger Bowl contact:
John Sandwell
812-250-1923 sandwell@sbcglobal.net
Mark Hackert
812-319-6403 mhackert76@gmail.com
Contact At St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Dr. Ashley Newell , Executive Director SVdP/Evansville 812-602-5182 anewell@svdpevansville.org
