• Among families, about 12.6 million, or 10.9 percent, reported going hungry for at least some period last year. Those disproportionately reporting hunger were single mothers (30.4 percent); black households (21.8 percent); Hispanic households (19.5 percent); and households with incomes below the official poverty line (36.3 percent).

• States with families reporting higher prevalence of hunger from 2004-2006 included: Mississippi (18.1 percent); New Mexico (16.1 percent); Texas (15.9 percent); and South Carolina (14.7 percent).

Utah is ranked seventh nationally for highest rate of food insecurity, according to the food bank.

• Of the 35.5 million people reporting periods of hunger last year, 12.6 million were children.

"This report comes at a critical time for hungry Americans and those of us who help serve them," said Vicki Escarra, president of the nation's largest hunger relief group — America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network. "There simply may be no food for many families when the rest of the nation gathers to celebrate Thanksgiving and religious holidays."

In the report, the terms "low food security" and "very low food security" replace the old descriptions of "food insecurity without hunger" and "food insecurity with hunger." The change was made last year based on a recommendation by the National Academies, which advise the government on science issues, a move that has drawn criticism by some Democrats who say the report speaks too euphemistically.

Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, an anti-hunger group, said he is troubled by the report. He said figures for 2007 could prove to be worse, given rising food prices and an uneven economy this year.

"We need to do more to make sure that households have access to healthy food by improving and expanding proven programs that help," he said.

Utahns can help feed the hungry by visiting utahfoodbank.org. They can donate online by choosing specific food items such as soups or holiday hams and turkeys for $10 each. They can also learn how to sponsor food drives and can sign up to volunteer.

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Contributing: Rebecca Palmer, Deseret Morning News