Faced With High Student Hunger, DC Schools Start Serving Dinner

In one of the poorest regions in the country, Washington DC public schools are struggling to cope with high spikes in poverty in recent years.

According to 2009 census data, over 6,000 DC residents fell below the poverty line between 2008-2009. As unemployment grows, and families fall into poverty, children go hungry.

Washington DC public schools are responding by expanding their school meal programs even further -- to include serving dinner to 10,000 needy children in the district.

According to The Washington Post,

The program, which will cost the school system about $5.7 million this year, comes at a time of heightened concern about childhood poverty in the city.

For many children, school meals may be the only food they eat all day.

Supporters can help struggling families by making a donation to national nonprofit, Feeding America.

Read more on The Washington Post.