Hunger in the United States

A "food secure" household is one where people do not live in fear of hunger or starvation.

In 2005:

37 million Americans were in poverty.

35 million Americans (23 million adults and 12 million children) lived in food insecure households.

56 percent of food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major Federal food assistance programs — Food Stamp Program, National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Households with children reported food insecurity at almost double the rate for those without children, 16 percent compared to 8.5 percent. Six percent of households with seniors (1.6 million) were food insecure.

Source: America's Second Harvest