New Census Data Finds More Living in Poverty in
Indiana in 2008
Indianapolis, IN – Indiana had 807,506 residents who lived in poverty in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The poverty rate in Indiana was 13.1 percent; it increased from 2007 by .7 percent. Children continued to bear the brunt of poverty in Indiana, with 276,430 children living in poverty – a rate of 17.9 percent, up more than a percent over 2007 numbers.
These numbers underscore a troubling if not surprising trend, and help explain why demand for the federal nutrition programs is growing in communities across Indiana, as is the demand for emergency food assistance from food banks.
“Poverty, especially among children, is rising in Indiana, and it is likely that the recession has added many more people in 2009 to the ranks of those living in poverty and struggling with hunger,” said John Etling, President of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc.
“Lost wages and jobs mean that families are stretched beyond their limit and relying more on the federal nutrition programs, especially school meals, afterschool and summer meals, and child care food. As more families struggle, it must be a priority to ensure that children can access the nutritious food provided by these programs,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc.. “Congress is set to reauthorize the child nutrition programs in the next few months, and it is imperative that they expand and strengthen these programs so they are more responsive to the real needs of millions of children.
“It is also important that Hoosiers help as best as they can in their own communities. If they are able, now is the time to volunteer or contribute at your local food bank, pantry, soup kitchen or other emergency food provider to ensure that our neighbors will not be forced to choose between feeding their families and other vital human needs this fall and winter. ”
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our nine member food banks serve 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. or how to volunteer at a food bank near you, contact Emily Weikert Bryant at 317/396-9355 or ewbryant@feedingindianashungry.org, or view our website at www.feedingindianashungry.org.
