Arkansas Ranks Worst in Nation for Extreme Food Insecurity

[BlueToTheBone]

http://www.katv.com/story/23353969/arkansas-ranks-worst-in-nation-for-extreme-food-insecurity

he Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to pantries in 33 counties, feeding more than 170,000 people, but even the food bank was surprised by the latest report from the USDA. It finds than more than eight percent of Arkansans are in the worst category of food insecurity. That's more than any other state in the country.

"That's not just the folks who are stretching a few dollars, who are thinking, am I going to have something to deal with next week or tomorrow. These are the folks who are going to bed every night very hungry," said food bank CEO Rhonda Sanders.

Last week, a study found that senior citizens are among the most vulnerable populations in the state in terms of hunger. The food bank also conducted interviews finding that seniors who take care of grandchildren, are even more likely to struggle with food security.

Just a bit more. And we are turning redder by the day/

[dickensknitter]

1. I live here...

It doesn't surprise me. I work retail. First of the month we see people we don't see the rest of the month. I was saying to my husband the other day I've been seeing people come in lately with their clothes almost falling off of them because theyre so worn and ragged, and so many people with very few teeth. I've lived here 30 years, but it seems to be worsening of late.

[BlueToTheBone]

2. I live here too and

although I have only been here 4 years, I see the same things. I was also stunned to find out so many large corps are here. They pay no tax, citizens pay tax on food and wages are so low that children go to bed hungry at night. I tried to work with the democratic party here, but they all want to live out the halcyon days of Clinton and ignore the truth of today...and now the state lege is red for the first time since the reconstruction. What to do?

[BlueToTheBone]

3. oh, BTW

Welcome to DU!

[dickensknitter]

4. Thank you Blue...

I've been a committed lurker for over ten years, just a shy person afraid to join in.

I've been in AR for 30+, my folks moved us here for my dads job when I was 12.
I know what you mean about dems here.
I went to a local Democratic Women's mtg here once, wanting to get involved; it disappointed me to the point of disgust because it just seemed like the southern aristocratic ladies auxiliary group to support 'our team', not about issues or substance or politics as a means of achieving policy that improves more peoples lives... Just 'rah'.

I'm currently trying to make my escape to someplace where I will have a better chance of keeping my teeth.