Economic and Food Security in the Suburbs
Posted by on December 16, 2013
Poverty, hunger spreading in Philadelphia suburbs
Double digit increases in the number of low-income children living in the Philadelphia suburbs means that the 62 school districts and the four counties have an uphill battle to ensure the region can compete, according to the latest reports issued by Public Citizens for Children and Youth.
The reports – The Bottom Line for Children and Youth: Economic and Food Security, found that 118,350 children are living in families struggling to make ends meet in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Four years ago that number was 93,900, a 26% increase in just 48 months.
The needs of these children present an urgent challenge. Slightly more than 97,000 suburban children lived in households receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) benefits last year, but it’s likely that thousands are in families that are eligible for SNAP benefits but are not receiving them. Some families receiving food stamps recently lost some of their monthly federal support. Cumulatively, families in the suburban counties receiving SNAP benefits will lose an estimated $18 million in benefits in the coming year, which is also a loss to the region’s economy.
For low-income students in the suburbs, the federal free and reduced priced school meal program makes a big difference. PCCY found that in 59 out of the 62 suburban school districts the share of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals increased, in most cases relatively dramatically. Unfortunately, of the low income children who need these meals only 24% participated in the school breakfast program in 2012. Lunch participation is much higher (71%).
Hunger and lack of nutrition is directly associated with school success, which is why the PA Dept. of Education has asked for participation in the PA School Breakfast Challenge, an effort to increase the number of children participation in the school breakfast program.
To read these and other reports from PCCY, go here.
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