Fast Facts: Hungry Children in Our Community

Posted on January 20, 2013 by
  • The food insecurity rate among children living in Kansas is over 22.7 %.
  • The poverty rate in Butler County is close to 16%.
  • During a national study on food hardship, 18 % of Butler County residents reported Inability to afford enough food.
  • El Dorado Public Schools (USD 490) statistics show that over 55 % of students qualified for free and reduced fee lunches (due to living in economically disadvantaged households) last year. The number increased to 66 % this year.
  • According to a national report published in February 2012, during the last decade the number of children living in high-poverty areas increased by 25% nationally — but in Kansas, it increased by 229%.
  • Hunger affects the physical, cognitive and behavioral development of children.
  • Children living in food-insecure households are likely to experience fatigue, poor concentration and difficulty learning in school. School lunch programs help, but don’t solve the whole problem.
  • Having enough food to eat can be particularly hard for homeless students.

Per Kansas Dept. of Education data, Butler County School Districts identified at least 147 students who were homeless in 2012. This data does not include: homeless children and youth who are NOT in school (including those too young to attend school). Also, not all homeless students will disclose that they are homeless.

For further information or questions about the sources for this data, please contact:  Judie Storandt, Community Advocate & Blogger , 405-308-9158  /  jgstorandt@msn.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Test Your Knowledge: THE HUNGER QUIZ

Posted on January 20, 2013 by

Food insecurity means lacking reliable access to enough food for a healthy life.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge about hungry children in the United States.

True or False?    [*answers below]

  1.   One in six Americans do not have access to enough food.

  2.   Most persons who experience hunger are homeless and out of work.

  3.   Few children experience hunger because there are programs to care for them.

  4.   Most persons in low income households would be fine if they just worked harder.

  5.   Even college educated adults struggle with issues of hunger in this country.

  6.   Lack of adequate nutrition only affects a child’s growth.

  7.   In school, children living in food-insecure households perform just as well as children who have enough nutrition daily.

  8.   More than 2 million rural households experience food insecurity.

  9.   Urban counties have the highest poverty rates in the U.S.

 10.   Nearly 49 million Americans don’t have dependable, consistent access to enough food due to limited money and resources.

THE FACTS

  • Hunger is a reality for 1 in 6 people: including hard-working adults, children, and seniors who are forced to go without food due to limited resources.
  • Hunger is not an issue just for the homeless and those living in poverty. In the Feeding American Network, 36 % of households served have at least one working adult.
  • Lack of resources prevents nearly 49 million people from getting enough food.
  • 17 million children live in food-insecure households. Hunger affects their physical, cognitive and behavioral development.
  • Children in food-insecure households are likely to experience fatigue and difficulty learning in school. School lunch programs help but don’t solve the whole problem.
  • Insufficient nutrition puts children at risk for illness and weakens their immune system. In adults, it can contribute to physical illness and mental health problems.

Answers:

1. True. 2. False. 3. False. 4. False. 5. True. 6. False. 7. False. 8. True. 9. False. 10. True.

Adapted from: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts.aspx

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment