Domestic Hunger

Over 36.2 million Americans, including over 12 million children, suffer from hunger or live on the edge of hunger.
17.2 % of children in the U.S. live in hungry or food insecure households.
4.0 % of U.S. households experience hunger.
9.4% of American 65 years of age and older live in poverty.
12% of rural households in the United States face hunger every day, an estimated 2.3 million households.

10.9 % of American households are food insecure at least some time during the year. Meaning 1 in 10 American homes are at risk of hunger.
Food stamp participants tend to leave the program frequently. Half of all individuals who enter the Food Stamp Program stay 8 months or less and 61% exit within 1 year.
The average gross income of food stamp households is $673 per month.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food Stamp Program is the nation’s single most important resource in the fight against hunger. Eligible individuals must earn a net income below 130% or less of the federal poverty line.
To be eligible for free school lunches, children’s families must earn at or below 130% of the federal poverty line.

What You Should Know