Facts of Hunger in the United States
38.2 million people - including 14 million children - live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (11.9 percent). This is an increase of 1.9 million, from 36.3, million in 2003.3.9 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day. 10.7 million people, including 3 million children, live in these homes.
8.0 percent of U.S. households are at risk of hunger. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. 27.5 million people, including 10.6 million children, live in these homes.
Research shows that preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger.
Following years of decline, participation in the Food Stamp Program has been on the rise over the past two years. In August 2005, over 25.7 million people participated in the food stamp program.
While it is not possible to determine what caused the increase in participation from the data available, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argues it is likely that the majority of the increase can be attributed to the economic downturn. Due to loss of employment and income, more families probably became eligible for the Food Stamp Program.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors reports that in 2005 requests for emergency food assistance increased an average of 12 percent. The study also found that 54 percent of those requesting emergency food assistance were members of families with children and that 40 percent of adults requesting such assistance were employed. High housing costs, low-paying jobs, unemployment, and the economic downturn led the list of reasons contributing to the rise.
Over half the cities surveyed in the Mayors' report (52 percent) said they are not able to provide an adequate quantity of food to those in need. And 83 percent of surveyed cities reported they had to decrease the quantity of food provided and/or the number of times people can come to get food assistance, up from 67 percent last year. An average of 18 percent of the demand for emergency food assistance is estimated to have gone unmet in the survey cities, down from 20 percent last year.
America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food banks, reports an estimated 24 to 27 million people turned to the agencies they serve, as accounted for in their 2006 findings.
sources
Household Food Security in the United States, 2004
Hunger: Its Impact on Children’s Health and Mental Health
Food Stamp Caseloads are Rising
Hunger and Homelessness Survey (PDF)
Hunger in America 2006 - Key Findings
Food Stamp Program Monthly Data