North Carolinians have long recognized that children are one of our state’s most valuable resources and their success is our success. Investing in the health, safety, education and financial security of our children are among the most important duties of our society. As the recession continues to stress North Carolinians, it is critical that policymakers focus on preserving services for children and families.
A new poll by Hart Research Associates over the last few days shows overwhelming concern by voters about hunger as a serious problem; overwhelming support for the food stamp program (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP); and overwhelming opposition to food stamp cuts.
(Action for Children) A new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau Monday suggests more Americans are living in poverty than previously thought. The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), finds 49.1 million Americans (16%) now live in poverty, a slight increase from the 46.6 million (15%) thought to be poor under the traditional measure of poverty.
Tune in this weekend to News & Views with Chris Fitzsimon
Raleigh, N.C – Hunger cost North Carolina more than $5.4 billion in lost productivity and reduced outcomes last year, according to a recent report from the Center for American Progress. These findings come on the heels of alarming Census data which show unemployment in North Carolina stalled above 10 percent for the second consecutive year and poverty is increasing across the state.
Many of us were shocked recently to learn that 29 percent of WNC’s children live in hunger. More families in our region now live in poverty than at any time since the Great Depression. Child abuse is on the rise. All these things are happening just a few miles, or a few blocks, from where you and I live.
Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
