Feeding America Responds To New Poverty Numbers

CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement Attributable to Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America:

"Today the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 15 percent of the nation's population – 46.5 million people – is living in poverty. The report also found that nearly 22 percent of all American children live in poverty. The poverty threshold for a family of three in 2012 was $18,284.

"We know that more and more people are seeking help from Feeding America's network of food banks to feed themselves and their families.

"With 1 in 7 Americans living at or below poverty, it is no surprise that 1 in 7 Americans are also enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as Food Stamps.) The dire circumstances of so many families in every state and county across our nation also provide stark evidence that cuts should not be made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

"The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this week on a proposed $40 billion cut to SNAP. Under this proposed legislation, over four million individuals would lose their SNAP benefits entirely, 850,000 households would lose an average $90 per month in SNAP benefits, and 210,000 children would lose free school meals.

"We hope that today's report will remind members of the House that millions of Americans are still struggling to provide for their most basic needs, and that SNAP should be protected so that it may continue to provide vital nutrition assistance for millions of low-income Americans."

About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate.  Together we can solve hunger.Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Contact:
Ross Fraser
312.641.6422

SOURCE Feeding America