According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one in four Latino families in the U.S. are currently facing food insecurity, while one in three Latino families with children suffers from the same, more than any other minority group in terms of poverty and hunger.
Additionally, reports the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently 13 million Latino individuals living in poverty.
“It is unacceptable that one in three Hispanic children is at risk of hunger in the world’s wealthiest nation,” says Ricardo Moreno, National Associate for Latino Relations at Bread for the World (hyperlink Bread for the World’s main webpage). “People must become aware of the pressing need to end hunger in this country, especially among Hispanics, who are now more than 16 percent of the population.”
Reports state that the number could be higher, but programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are preventing the numbers from increasing.
Disparities among social groups are steep. In 2009, the average White household had $113,149 in wealth compared to $6,325 for Latinos. It is also reported that while 35% of Latino households qualified for programs such as SNAP, only 21.4% received those benefits.
Congress is currently undergoing negotiations to reduce funding to these programs. If negotiations are approved, $4.5 billion would be taken from SNAP funding.
“Congress has a responsibility to communities with the greatest need, and we are urging policy makers to create a circle of protection around funding for programs that are vital to hungry and poor people,” added Moreno.
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