Child Hunger In US Rose 50 Percent In 2007

News Net:

New government figures show that almost 700,000 children went hungry in the United States at some point in 2007, up more than 50 percent from the year before to mark the highest point since 1998. And that's even before this year's sharp economic downtown, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.

The department's annual report on food security showed that during 2007 the number of children who suffered a substantial disruption in the amount of food they typically eat was more than double the 430,000 in 2006 and the largest figure since 716,000 in 1998.

Read the whole story: News Net

Comments

[1differentdrummer]

There is no excuse for children being hungry. Three grocery stores where we shop have food giving programs and a mere $5 will feed a meal or two. $20 feeds a dinner for a whole family and they might stretch that further. Why don't we all make an effort to give up that latte and feed someone instead? Work is very scarce some places and food stamps don't stretch, if you can get them.

[Trailrunner413]

This is incredibly sad to me especially at a time when charitable organizations are sinking millions of dollars and countless hours in the incredibly uncharitable act of taking away civil rights of gay and lesbian Americans. The Knights of Columbus in Connecticut spent 1.4 million on the Yes on 8 campaign in California. That's money that could have been used to feed the hungry or put warm clothes on their backs during the New England winter. The Mormons nationwide and in Utah have spent millions more. This is going to be a long downturn and to pour money into such uncharitable events is downright sinister when there is such need out there.

[OSA23]

this culture - under both PARTIES (to moongal6: read the following article at this link http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/business/economy/17gramm.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=phil+gramm&st=nyt) there has been NO REAL investment in the security of this nation:

and once again, this comes under the flags of BOTH PARTIES. opportunities were squandered because the forces of government SINCE REAGAN has focused upon international 'problems' instead of investing in the strength and security of this nation....­. if one lives in a crime ridden neighborhood, one doesn't wait for the police to add the security measures to make that home secured. the homeowner must take necessary steps to ensure safety for themselves, family members and loved ones....

over the last thirty years - there has not been any serious investment into the worth and value of this nation to protect AND feed its own. instead, plenty of backroom deals have been made with other countries and nations which undermined the abilities of this nation to rise above the problems that are currently afflicting this nation. i do not favor isolationism BUT i favor stronger measures to revamp and to reinvent this nation that has limped dead into the 21st century. and not just 'buy american' jingoism either BUT becoming an innovative force that will heal the schisms within this nation and unite this nation under the common cause of becoming truly a sovereign REPUBLIC (read the constitution ...)

[Hirnlego]

"You gentlemen who think you have a mission
To purge us of the seven deadly sins
Should first sort out the basic food position
Then start your preaching, that’s where it begins

You lot who preach restraint and watch your waist as well
Should learn, for once, the way the world is run
However much you twist or whatever lies that you tell
Food is the first thing, morals follow on..."
___
Childhood poverty comes at great cost to U.S. economy
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/25/news/poor.php

[GrainOSand]

Thank you very much for your comment. This is what some economists and the free market folks seem to miss. Poverty is costly. As your apt poem reflects, hypocrisy is costly as well.

Thanks for being one of the ones who care.

[Hirnlego]

Thanks. Although I should give credit to Weill/Brecht for the song "What keeps mankind alive?"

[fignozzle]

what is as sad to me is all of the fat kids i see all the time.....
we definitely need to balance stuff in our nation.

[Fzetmptres1]

This is criminal!!

[moongal6]

Yet another legacy of a two term Republican administration.
Abortion rates increase dramatically.
Divorce rate increases dramatically.
Unemployment rate increases dramatically.
Hunger rate SOARS.
Always under Republicans.
ALWAYS.
NO EXCEPTIONS.

[siney]

yeah, but 716,000 in 1998...cli­nton was in office then...thi­s is a complicated issue i'm sure with many culprits..­.but as voters & citizens we must demand gov't & private sector take action....­good jobs, decent wages, affordable living costs, reality based solutions, less talk more action...t­he stats in the article were horrifying­...

[Kiba]

Just because someone is a Democrat doesn't mean they're progressive, or even liberal. The DLC dominated the party in the 90's, shifting it way to the right. Clinton led from that position. The fiscally conservative Blue Dogs and New Democrats are indistinguishable from Republicans on many issues, particularly economic policy.

[duze]

Sin!

[hilary916]

Heartbreaking. This shouldn't even be an issue here in the U.S. Bailout the children please!

[GrainOSand]

Amen, or here, here!

[GrainOSand]

Oh, do not worry about this. I am sure the “right to life” people are going to hop right on this problem, since two of their main concerns are the preservation and promotion of life -- whatever that means. They will feed the children (some are probably involved in charities that do). I think the RTL people will join with the USA, USA, USA chant people, because the latter group being pro-American would not allow any American child to starve. Therefore, this is a non-issue, because the hardcore right to life folks and the hardcore patriots are on the case. Help is on the way.

Upon further consideration, are these not the same people who embrace the policy of "you are on your own" and socialism (helping others) is bad? It is a good thing there are all those liberal soup kitchens and activists out there fighting on the frontlines of poverty, otherwise these children could be waiting a long time on the sanctimonious RTL and USA by chant -- not by action crowd.

You have a right to a life where you starve in the good old USA -- the best country in the world. God bless the children, while the “free marketeers” count their free market millions, which they worked hard for, while those lazy children sat and sit around looking for a handout. Get a job. Get an education -- all while you starve.

The hypocrisy is so thick it becomes hard to breathe.

[moongal6]

I used to be able to give $25 a month to "Feed the Children" in America. It came right out of my bank acct. once a month. The last time I sent them money, they told me it takes $1000. just to fill the gas tanks on the rigs that actually deliver the food. $1000.
I can no longer afford to send any money.
I am praying that the economy will get better and I will be able to resume my donation each month. I know children go to bed hungry, it breaks my heart.

[GrainOSand]

I always give directly to the source -- A family here, an individual there. Sometimes it is clothing, product, or cash, and at other times, I give my time to sit and be with someone who is alone and troubled -- the greatest gift. I give whatever I can. My situation has changed. I cannot give as I used to. I am constantly thinking about how I can do more. We are a nation of good people. I did not mean to be hard on anyone in my initial comment; it is just that we spend so much time fighting hypocritical ideological wars while real suffering continues unabated. I felt the need to point out hypocrisy.

The solution to many of our problems (education, poverty, homelessness, joblessness, war, etc...) all have a solution in melting the ice that has formed around far too many hearts. This would free up the collective mind to be innovative in coming up with big solutions to big problems.

Find joy in the fact that you are someone who cares for the alternative is indeed an empty existence. My joy comes not from anything I own, but from the fact that I love. This single fact has been the difference. I loved my profession and therefore, I excelled at it. I love people, and therefore, I exhaust every available avenue to be there for them. I love my country, therefore, I will not let it self-delude in the harmful fog of hypocritical hubris.

[fussygorilla]

GrainOsand.

I couldn't have said more to the point. Thank you.

[respectingothers]

I agree with the hard to breathe part. but at least starting Nov 5 I stopped holding my breath!

[BobLA90069]

70 MILLION DOLLARS IN CALIFORNIA ALONE TO PASS DISCRIMINATORY AMENDMENTS
WHICH WILL BE THROWN OUT BY THE SUPREME COURT NOW, OR SOON!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

Hell has no passage deep enough for the Mormons, Knights of Columbus, etc who pushed this through with half truths and scare tactics --- all along, I kept saying that the money should go to the children.

THUS, WE LEARN >>>>

STARVING CHILDREN MATTER LESS THAN GAY MARRIAGE
SAVING UNWANTED BABIES IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN WHO ARE ALREADY BORN

[sparkey]

If the Mormons would read their bibles, they might read a little thing that says help the needy and feed the hungry. I don't think that there is anything that says spend millions of dollars on a pet project that's politically correct.

[loki]

More of the Rethuglican legacy for the history books. I bet the rethugs are proud of their accomplishments. I really mean that. I think they are proud of this. They see that starving children, means more money in their pockets. And really, when your a republican, isnt that what its all about?
Greed, selfishness, and belittling others to make yourself feel superior?

[Dr Independents Day]

I have been very poor in the past. You never forget what it was like. But, I also knew there were people worse off than me, so I was grateful at the same time. Everyone should know what it is like to have very little or nothing. It changes your perspective and priorities in life.

[DavidATolucaLake]

Mission Accomplished

There is special place in Hell for Bush.

[Troutboi]

Anyone read about the Lavish Dinner for the G20 at the White House? They met to begin fixing the Economic Mess, while dining to the tilt!

[Dr Independents Day]

If some of you would only see some of the travesties I see on a daily basis regarding families and healthcare, you would be shocked. I'd rather pay more taxes to feed children and help poor people than pay for wars, etc. etc. When McCain kept talking about redistributing wealth, all I could think was that the Republicans already do that, but not for the people or children especially. They do it for wars, Wall Street, cronies in Halliburton and the MIC. Good riddance a holes.

[moongal6]

This is what Democrats are all about. I have been a Democrat all my life. I have always maintained that Democrats never mind paying more in taxes if the money goes for the right things:
Education, Poverty, Health Care and other important issues.
I don't know about most of you, but, that's how I feel.