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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

The Changing Face of Hunger in Illinois

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Some people may have recovered from the economic downturn, but recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that more than 12 percent of Illinoisans still struggle to put food on the table.

The face of hunger has changed, said Julie Melton, vice president for development and partnerships at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. More than half of of those who visit their food pantries are employed, she said, and almost 80 percent are high school graduates. She said most come in for help as a last resort.

"It's not that they're using this as a constant source of food," she said. "We did have one individual say this was just 'a season in her life' - that we were able to help her get through a hardship and get through that season, to get her life back on track."

September is Hunger Action Month, and hunger-fighting organizations are encouraging Illinoisans to help their neighbors in need, either by volunteering at a food pantry or donating food. Melton said monetary donations are especially welcome, since the food bank's bulk purchasing power can get $10 worth of food for every $1 donated.

Melton said charity is not enough to combat food insecurity. State and federal leaders need to support programs that can fill in the gaps, she said, including free and reduced-price school meal programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

"Many individuals say that if they are able to qualify for SNAP benefits, they're able to have access to fruits and vegetables and meat and milk - and things that we don't get a high amount of in our pantries," she said.

Melton said hunger often is a hidden problem in neighborhoods, and encouraged Illinoisans to learn more about it.

"Just become aware of what's going on in your community," she said. "It could be your neighbor - it could even be a family member that you're not aware of - that are having problems and trying to meet those basic needs. And then give back - give back your time, give back your money."

Other ways to build awareness, she said, are writing to elected leaders or taking the "SNAP Hunger Challenge," by eating on just $4.50 a day for one week.

The USDA data is online at ers.usda.gov.


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