More than 13 million families in 2004 were unable at times to buy the food they needed, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Finances are so strained for 5 million of those families that one or more members goes hungry as a result.
In An Atlas of Poverty in America, Penn State University economic geographer Amy Glasmeier takes a historical and contemporary look at the problems faced by the country’s poor. In an interview with Vikki Valentine of National Public Radio, she discusses the phenomenon of hunger in America.
In a moving story of sacrifice and uncertainty, Howard Berkes of National Public Radio, chronicles the lives of a rural Virginia family where a full-time job fails to pay a living wage.
The Hankins family of five lives on $22,000 a year. After their monthly expenses are paid, there is about $150.00 left over for food. This is just a quarter of what the USDA suggests a family of five should spend monthly on food ($548/month). Without the local food pantry, the family would go hungry.
Robbie Hankins works full time at a job that provides health care at a cost of $400/month, a premium he cannot afford. While his children receive health care support from the state of Virginia, Robbie and his wife Wreatha go without protection resorting to self-treatment when an illness or a dental problem arises.
Like seven million other families, the challenges facing the Hankins reflect the bitter truth about the nation’s economy and pattern of job growth over the last half decade. Yes, jobs have been created; but a growing number of them fail to pay a living wage.
When you sit down to your sumptuous meal on Thursday, November 24, 2005, keep in mind that for more than 35 million Americans currently living below the poverty line, a turkey dinner is a luxury few will be able to afford.
I am very pleased to announce that Routeledge published An Atlas of Poverty in America on November 10th, 2005. You can read more about the atlas here on this site, or you can purchase a copy of the atlas online (links open in new window):
Copies are expected to reach distributors by November 30th, 2005.
