Human Services News

Food Research and Action Center:

Thirty-seven million people lived in poverty in the U.S. in 2005, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today.

Despite four years of economic growth, poverty is more widespread than in 2001.

The number of Americans without health insurance rose in 2005.

While the national economy continues to grow, stagnant wages, rising health and energy costs and an inadequate government response mean that the economic growth isn't reaching the bottom half of Americans.

Families are finding themselves struggling more to make ends meet to cover basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation and health care.

"These numbers only highlight the need for a robust national commitment to address poverty and growing economic insecurity," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

"While federal nutrition programs are helping families put food on the table, the nation needs to take steps to bolster families' incomes and health coverage, and we need to do more to strengthen and ensure accessibility to programs such as food stamps, the school meals programs and WIC."

"One year ago, the President stood in the ruins of New Orleans and promised to attack poverty in America.

Action on this promise is one year overdue.

Meaningful action on the economic, human and moral imperative of addressing America's extraordinary poverty rate is no less urgent today than the day Katrina hit New Orleans," continued Weill.

While the Census Bureau's numbers that were released today do not tell how many Americans were suffering from hunger and food insecurity in 2005, anti-hunger groups around the nation cite an increased need in their communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release the latest hunger and food insecurity numbers in the fall.

POVERTY RATES FOR 50 STATES & WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Food Research and Action Center (www.frac.org) is the leading national organization working for more effective public and private policies to eradicate domestic hunger and undernutrition.