U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
A one-page fact sheet for each state plus Washington, D.C., providing these indicators of hunger and poverty: the proportion of households in the state that struggle to put food on the table, the percentage of households in the state that have at least one wage earner but still need SNAP assistance to live, and number in the state who are employed but still living in poverty.
The United States and the world have made substantial progress against hunger and poverty over the past 50 years. But too many people, including Americans, are still being left behind. Ending hunger and poverty in the United States requires political will as well as comprehensive solutions that enable people to move toward financial stability. In 2018, elected officials should:
- Support adequate federal funding for programs that help low-income communities. Anti-hunger programs such as SNAP and WIC help families deal with a job loss or crisis. Efforts to reform Medicaid should ensure that vulnerable families do not lose health care access.
- Support strong foundations for families, individuals, and workers. Ensuring that everyone has access to good jobs, a livable minimum wage, and strong benefits lays a strong foundation for our workers. In addition, having access to quality education, affordable housing, health care, and asset and credit building opportunities empowers families and individuals to become financially independent.
- Support fair and equitable tax policy. Tax reform legislation should strengthen and expand earned income tax credits and child tax credits, narrow the widening inequality between top and bottom earners. Tax policies should prioritize low-income workers so they can earn more, save more, and build assets for the future. Legislation should not increase taxes for low-income workers.
- Support comprehensive immigration policy. Immigration is a hunger issue on both sides of the border. Reform should both address the push factors that lead people to migrate from their home countries and, for those already here, prioritize family unity, human dignity, work opportunities, and responsible pathways to U.S. citizenship.
- Support a fair and equitable criminal justice system. Mass incarceration perpetuates hunger and poverty. Sentencing reform and support for individuals returning from incarceration, e.g., jobs, affordable housing, and programs such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), will lower recidivism as well as hunger and poverty.
Hunger and Poverty Facts by State
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.