Hunger & Poverty Facts
- 46.2 million people nationwide lived in poverty in 2010. That is 15.1% of the US population. (1)
- In Rhode Island, 12% of the population was living in poverty in 2009. (1)
- In 2011, the federal poverty guideline was $22,350 for a family of four. (2)
- The definition of food insecurity is: any household that is uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they have insufficient money or other resources for food. (3)
- In 2010, 14.7 percent of households (or 48.8 million people) were food insecure at least some time during that year. That includes over 16 million children. (3)
(rifoodbank.org)
-
However, 59.2 percent of America's food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major federal food assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), The National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. (4)
(rifoodbank.org)
- Four percent of all households in the United States have obtained food from a food pantry at least once. (5)
- Research indicates that hungry children have done more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they are not well prepared for school and cannot concentrate. In fiscal year 2009, 48 percent of all SNAP participants were children. (4)
References:
1. www.census.gov
2. www.aspe.hhs.gov
3. ers.usda.gov
4. feedingamerica.org
5. rifoodbank.org
Have you heard about snap?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program is the new name for the Food Stamp Program.
Learn more about the SNAP Outreach Project or to access a benefits application:
What's new at the hunger center
The Restaurant Meals Program comes to Rhode Island
Now there is a way for homeless, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients to buy hot, prepared meals. The Restaurant Meals Program uses the same SNAP benefits and EBT cards to allow certain low-income individuals to buy low-cost meals at participating locations. Eligible individuals are the homeless, elderly, and disabled who may not have access to food storage or preparation.
For more information about the Restaurant Meals Program, visit www.snaprmp.org.
For more information about the Restaurant Meals Program in RI, visit www.eatbettertoday.com
PREVIOUS HUNGER CENTER NEWS
SNAP Outreach Coordinator takes part in Food Stamp Challenge
University Students Respond to Hurricane Irene
Pres. Dooley mentions the Hunger Center in his most recent "Conversation with URI"
Kathleen Gorman speaks at Hungry for Answers conference
