Childhood Hunger in Marion and Polk counties
More than 11,500 children are eating some of their meals from emergency food boxes, 1,000 more than a year ago. Many of these children are living in single-parent families headed by a female.
Children who live in food insecure households are at risk in many ways. Their health and development is compromised, their academic performance is reduced, and they may have behavioral issues and higher rates of school absence.
In Marion and Polk counties more than 39,000 children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches because of their families’ incomes. Many of those children are eating from emergency food boxes when their families find themselves unable to make ends meet.
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