African Americans More Likely to Go Hungry, Suffer from Poverty

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Hunger by the Numbers among African Americans," a new analysis, released by Bread for the World revealed that hunger and poverty rates are higher among African Americans than the general U.S. population.  The analysis examines the latest data on hunger and poverty rates among African Americans living in major metropolitan areas.  

One in four African American households struggle to put food on the table, compared to about one in seven of all households. Similarly, one in four African Americans lives in poverty, compared to about one in eight overall.  "Poverty among African American children is especially alarming; it would hardly be an overstatement to say an entire generation of African American children is at risk of being set back due to the current recession," said Bishop Don Williams, head of African American church relations at Bread for the World.  

According to the analysis, an alarming 90 percent of African American children will receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program) benefits at some point before age 20, compared to 49 percent of all U.S. children.  Additionally, 34 percent of African American children live in families that struggle to put food on the table.

Increased rates of hunger and poverty in the African American community correlate with decreased economic opportunity.  "A job is the best anti-hunger program," said Asma Lateef, director of Bread for the World Institute.  "One of the best investments the United States can make in the African American community is to create green jobs which will help jumpstart the manufacturing and construction sectors."      

"Hunger by the Numbers among African Americans" is available online at www.bread.org.

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.    

SOURCE Bread for the World

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