IndianaNews

Report: 1 in 5 Indiana residents experience ‘food hardship’

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) — A new report on hunger says nearly a fifth of Indiana households with children struggle to find enough money to feed their loved ones.

The Food Research and Action Center’s report found that Indiana has a nearly 19-percent “food hardship” rate for households with children, the Kokomo Tribune reported. The August report defines food hardship as an economic or social condition where people have limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

The nonprofit lists Indiana as having the 20th worst overall rate of food hardship in the country, at 15.8 percent. The national overall food hardship rate was 15.4 percent, with a rate of 17.9 percent for households with children, the group said.

“While often hidden behind closed doors, food hardship is a serious national problem that requires a serious national response,” said Jim Weill, president of the nonprofit.

The report comes after advocacy group Feeding Indiana’s Hungry recently announced that nearly a third of the state’s residents who qualify as having food hardship aren’t eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which has been attacked by President Donald Trump’s administration and some lawmakers.

“The high rates of food hardship underscore the need for Congress to pass a Farm Bill that protects and strengthens SNAP, otherwise we will see worse health and hunger for struggling children, seniors, working families and others across the country,” Weill said.

In response to food hardship, community members have started efforts to serve the hungry. Kokomo Urban Outreach no longer offers its regular pantry and instead has a class where people learn to prepare meals and get the food that they can cook throughout the week for a $10 fee. The organization said it wanted to help people become self-sustaining instead of just providing handouts.

“There’s tons of places to get food that’s healthy, nutritious and affordable,” said KUO Director Jeff Newton. “We just want to make sure everybody understands that.”

Related posts

Homeowners told to switch direction of ceiling fans as spring approaches

95.3 MNC

Michiana Crime Stoppers presents Fugitive Friday for March 29, 2024

Jon Zimney

Two men shot in separate incidents at Miami Hills, Beacon Heights in South Bend

Jon Zimney

1 comment

Thor September 4, 2018 at 3:04 pm

“The Food Research and Action Center’s report found” a completely self serving outcome to their ‘study’. In a land of plenty with low unemployment perchance it is some peoples choices that are causing the problem. How many video games, cell phones, flat panel displays and cars do these hungry people have?

Reply

Leave a Comment