The Face of Poverty and Hunger in Rhode Island:

• Rhode Island’s minimum wage is $6.75 per hour or $14,040 per year, leaving a full-time minimum wage employee living well below the federal poverty level.
• 11% of Rhode Island’s population is living at or below the federal poverty level.
• Of all New England states, Rhode Island has the highest percentage of children living in poverty.
• Of Rhode Islanders resorting to pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, 10% are older adults, 43% are children, and 28% are the working poor.
• In Rhode Island, 1 out of every 6 children goes to bed hungry.

The Consequences of Poverty and Hunger:

Socioeconomic disparities related to food and nutrition are intricately linked to health. Understanding these complex dynamics has major implications for public health related policies regarding food and nutrition.

• Hungry children have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger.
• Chronically poor diets in childhood increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies, which may lead to impaired cognitive development, growth failure, and anemia.
• Hunger in older adults exacerbates pre-existing ill health, limits efficacy of many prescription drugs, and relates to an increase in depression, confusion and isolation.
• RI Community Food Bank clients have to choose between food and other necessities: food and rent/mortgage payments (53%); food and medicine/medical care(31%); food and utility payments (49%).