Report details state's food assistance

RENO (AP) - A new study shows more than 124,200 people get emergency food service each year through the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

The latest figure includes nearly 50,000 children.

The study was released Tuesday by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

An estimated 14,400 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other program served by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Food Bank of Northern Nevada President and CEO Cherie Jamason attributes the rise in need in part to a high unemployment rate. Data for the 2010 study was collected from February through June 2009.