Public News Service

Hunger Action Month started in 2008 when Feeding America's food banks came together to encourage individuals to take action against hunger in their local communities. (Adobe stock)

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry calls for action as food insecurity worsens

Hoosiers are marking Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led by the Feeding America Network, to raise awareness and fight hunger across the U.…

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana reminds the community food support is crucial year-round, not just during the holidays. (Adobe Stock)

Increasing demand devours IN food bank resources

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is facing a surge in demand for food assistance, despite the end of the pandemic. The facility serves about 60,000 …

According to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana saw the fifth-highest decrease nationally in uninsured children between 2019 and 2022. (Adobe stock)

Report: Overall child well-being ranking slightly slips in IN

Indiana ranks 27th in child well-being, according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, slipping three spots from last …

The current Farm Bill is set to expire Sept. 30, 2024. (Adobe Stock)

IN food banks concerned about draft Farm Bill

Groups fighting hunger in Indiana said they are deeply concerned about proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other nutrit…

Families will have 120 days from when they receive their SUN Bucks cards to use the money. (Adobe stock)

New program provides healthy summer meals for IN students

A new program in Indiana will ensure year-round access to nutritious meals for students statewide. The Summer Electronic Transfer program provides a …

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Adobe stock)

IN students fed tasty lessons for healthy eating habits

Schools play a critical role in nurturing Hoosier children's health and well-being which lay the foundation for lifelong eating habits. Throughout …

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book serves as a call to action in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IN youth making progress despite challenges

The newly released 2024 Kids Count Data Book finds the well-being of Indiana is better this year than last. More than 1.5 million children live in …

Food banks universally need four things: Donations of food, financial donations, volunteers and advocates. (Adobe stock)

Indiana's 30th 'Soup Bowl' sells out in effort to sack hunger

A fundraiser timed to kick off on the heels of Super Bowl 58 will help tackle food insecurity in Indiana. Since 1994, Hoosier Hills Food Bank has …

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority reports in January 2023, nearly 4,400 people were unhoused. That's 710 more people than the previous year, excluding Marion County figures. (Adobe Stock)

Newly-elected IN mayor prioritizes solutions for homelessness

January is when cities across the country do a one-night count of their homeless populations. In one Indiana city, the mayor is already thinking …

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority said total energy assistance program benefits in Indiana between Oct. 2022 and Sept. 2023 totaled almost $86 million. (Adobe Stock)

Now's the time to apply for home-heating assistance in Indiana

Chilly temperatures in Indiana mean turning up the thermostat at home, which can pose challenges for families on a tight budget. Indiana's Energy …

La Autoridad de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario de Indiana dijo que los beneficios totales del programa de asistencia energ�tica en Indiana entre octubre de 2022 y septiembre de 2023 ascendieron a casi $86 millones. (Adobe Stock)

Llega el momento de solicitar asistencia para pagar calefacción en Indiana

Las temperaturas frías en Indiana significan subir el termostato en casa, lo que puede plantear desafíos para las familias con un …

The American Psychiatric Association says African Americans are less likely to be offered either evidence-based medication therapy or psychotherapy, compared with the general population. (Adobe Stock)

Wellness center offers mental-health services specific to people of color

No Indiana county has enough mental-health professionals to meet the local needs according to the Rural Health Information Hub. Add to that an …

The Emergency Food Assistance Program determines the amount of food Indiana and other states receive. The totals are based on the number of unemployed persons and number of people with incomes below the poverty level in a state. (Adobe Stock)

IN Food Banks Question Congress' Inactivity on Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is federal legislation governing many nutrition, agriculture and rural development programs, and as the clock ticks down toward its …

According to an Indiana University Public Policy Institute study, nearly 68% of the state's unhoused population identifies as male, 32% as female, and less than 1% as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

Extreme Heat Creates Dangerous Conditions for Unhoused in IN

An excessive heat warning and an air quality alert are making life challenging in Indiana and across the Midwest this week. For those who are …

Federal spending on USDA's food and nutrition assistance programs totaled $183 billion in fiscal year 2022. Adjusted for inflation, that's 6% less than the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana Food Banks Step Up to Use Funding from Legislature

It has been one month since Indiana announced food banks across the state will share $2 million in state funds, and those food banks say it cannot …

For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program in Indiana has provided children ages 18 and under with free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana's Summer Meal Programs in Full Swing

Children living in income-restricted households do not always have regular access to healthy meals, especially when school is out. Almost 200 summer …

According to the Kids Count Data Book, in 2020-21, 9% of children between birth and age five in Indiana lived in families in which someone quit, changed or refused a job because of child care problems. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Child Care Remains Out of Reach for Many Hoosiers

Working Hoosiers are fighting to find child care to mesh with their work schedules, placing Indiana 24th in child well-being, according to a new …

In today's economy, new research suggests families making less than $75,000 annually may sometimes struggle to feed their families. (Adobe stock)

Research: Tech Opportunities Could Reduce IN Food Insecurity

New research by an Indiana nonprofit coalition reveals areas for innovation which could help minimize food insecurity. The report showed technology …

Circle Up Indy says it plans to accomplish its ambitious goal of building 2,000 3D-printed homes in Indiana within the next five years. (Adobe Stock)

Is 3D Printing Key to Solving Indianapolis Housing Shortage?

A plan to build 2,000 homes using a robot could hold the key to unlocking one solution to Indiana's affordable-housing shortage. The differences …

Some IN Communities Resist Dollar-Chain 'Invasion'

New research claims the discount retail chains known as "dollar stores" are not having a positive impact on the communities where they are sprouting l…

Algunas comunidades resisten la 'invasión' de ‘Cadenas de a Dólar’ en IN

Una nueva investigación afirma que las cadenas minoristas de descuento conocidas como "tiendas de a dólar" no están teniendo un impacto…

The latest data from the nonprofit Feeding America finds one in seven Indiana children experiences food insecurity, and one in nine people overall in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation, Benefit Cuts Spur Demand at IN Food Banks

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will reduce benefits by almost $90 per person at the end of March, but the change does not …

Direct payments under the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit program cut in half the number of American children living in poverty. (Wikimedia Commons)

Indiana Child Advocates Demand Action on Renewing Child Tax Credit

As Congress moves toward the mid-December deadline to pass a new budget, advocates are urging lawmakers to reinstate the Enhanced Child Tax Credit…

More than 726,000 people, including almost 224,000 children, are facing hunger in Indiana, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Investment to Boost Emergency Food Aid in Indiana

Amid struggles with higher food and transportation costs, fewer donations and increased demand, food banks in Indiana will soon have additional …

According to Feeding America, more than 834,000 Hoosiers are considered food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

Enhanced SNAP Benefits for IN Residents Come to End

Indiana has ended its participation in the federally enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so going forward, many food-insecure …

All told, five states -- Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Illinois -- accounted for nearly 70% of the nation's more than 3.6 million shutoffs from 2020 to 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IN Utilities Cut Power More Than 260,000 Times from 2020-2021

From January 2020 to December 2021, utility companies shut off power to Hoosier homes more than 260,000 times. According to a new report from …

According to the Eviction Lab, Indianapolis alone has had more than 30,000 evictions since the pandemic began.(Adobe Stock)

IN Bill Would Seal Certain Eviction Records

Prior evictions can be a major barrier for folks looking for a new home, but a new bill pushing through the Indiana General Assembly would allow …

Gas bills in Indianapolis are expected to be on average $10 more per month this winter compared with last year. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Hoosier Households Urged to Apply for Heating Assistance

INDIANAPOLIS - As cold weather moves in, state agencies are working to make sure Hoosier households know how to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy …

Indiana ranks 44th out of 50 states for bankruptcy. (Andriy Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Launches to Push Back Against Predatory Lending

INDIANAPOLIS -- A new coalition is forming to push back against predatory lending and urge state lawmakers to take action to protect consumers…

More than 950 evictions were filed in Indianapolis in June alone. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge Indiana to Expunge Evictions Filed During Pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS - Groups advocating for affordable housing warn that once the federal moratorium on evictions ends, thousands of Hoosiers will be at …

Prior to the pandemic, nearly 120,000 Indiana families with children lacked health insurance. That reflected progress in reducing the overall rate, but a new report says the pandemic has reversed it. (Adobe Stock)

Child Well-Being Report: More IN Families without Health Insurance

INDIANAPOLIS -- Like many other states, Indiana saw progress in improving children's lives before the pandemic, but an annual report said the crisis …

Food banks have distributed millions of pounds of food over the past 18 months as demand soared during the pandemic. (Aerogondo/Adobestock)

Indiana Food Banks Preparing to Upgrade, Expand

INDIANAPOLIS -- Food banks across Indiana are prepping to make good use of a million dollars in funding over the next fiscal year; money that starts r…

The Pandemic EBT program is expected to reach nearly 650,000 children in Indiana this summer. (Olesya/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic EBT to Help Feed Indiana Families This Summer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Many Indiana families will have an easier time feeding their children this summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has …

Indiana's utility shutoff moratorium runs through March 15 for eligible households. (Adobe Stock)

Assistance Available to Pay Heating Bills

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana is entering the heart of home-heating season, so it's also time for a reminder help is available for households unable to …

In recent U.S. Census Bureau community surveys, one in five Indiana families reported feeling

COVID Pain Points Put Pressure on Hoosier Families

INDIANAPOLIS - The ability to meet basic needs is increasingly out-of-reach for many Hoosier families because of the pandemic. The challenges …

Indiana distributed nearly $144 million in SNAP benefits in July, more than twice the amount than in July 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana Food Banks Applaud Proposed SNAP Increase

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's hunger-fighting network is applauding congressional leaders for boosting food assistance in the latest COVID-19 relief propos…

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commissions is requiring utilities to offer six-month payment plans for customers who have fallen behind on their bills during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana's Utility Shut-Off Moratorium Ends Today

INDIANAPOLIS -- Unless the governor takes prompt action, some Hoosier households struggling in the pandemic could soon be faced with a utility …

Indiana's food banks distributed more than 12 million pounds of food in June. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Senate COVID Aid Proposal Falls Short of Helping Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S. Senate has proposed a fourth round of legislation to stave off further economic damage from the novel coronavirus pandemic…

The average renter in Indiana earns $14.44 an hour, nearly $2 less per hour than what's needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment. (Adobe Stock)

For Indiana Workers, Monthly Rent Often "Out of Reach"

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the one in three Hoosiers who rents their home, the gap is widening between their earnings and their housing costs. The "Out of …

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says changes to SNAP work requirements will move participants toward self-sufficiency. (USDA/Flickr)

USDA Head Visits Indy Amid Food-Stamp Cuts

INDIANAPOLIS — Hunger-fighting groups say they're disappointed the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture used an Indiana visit to tout …

More than 650 colleges in the United States report having a food pantry for students facing hunger. (AdobeStock)

Indiana Students Learn About Hunger and Homelessness on Campus

INDIANAPOLIS – Anecdotes about starving college students are actually no laughing matter, as research reveals hunger on campus is not uncommon…

About 108,000 Hoosiers receive help with heating bills through the Energy Assistance Program. (Adobe Stock)

Don't Be Left In the Cold: Heating Help is Available

INDIANAPOLIS – Winter weather is already here and Hoosiers who struggle to pay their heating bills need to take action now to ensure they aren't…

Experts say continuous health insurance coverage has long-term impacts on a child's health and can impact outcomes as an adult. (AdobeStock)

Indiana's Increase in Uninsured Kids a "Puzzling Concern"

INDIANAPOLIS – After several years of trending downward, the number of children without health care insurance in Indiana and the U.S. is on the …

The U.S. Census Bureau intends to hire 500,000 people for the 2020 count. (AdobeStock)

Workers Needed to Help Ensure Accurate 2020 Census Count

INDIANAPOLIS – With less than six months to go until the 2020 Census, efforts are ramping up in Indiana and other states to ensure an accurate …

Children who do not grow up in communities with high poverty are better positioned for success in adulthood. (AdobeStock)

Fewer Indiana Kids are Growing Up in High-Poverty Areas

INDIANAPOLIS — A new examination of child poverty in the U.S. shows improvements in Indiana. According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids …

More than 2 million kids younger than age 5 were missed in the 2010 U.S. census. (mconnmamma/Pixabay)

Indiana Moving Needle on Child Well-Being

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana kids are faring better in many key markers for child well-being, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey …

The abundance at a well-stocked grocery store is only an ideal for some parts of Indiana. (ElasticComputeFarm/Pixabay)

Legislation Aims to Help Folks Stuck "Buying Their Dinner at a Gas Station"

INDIANAPOLIS – Congress is considering steps to bring healthy groceries to food deserts in Indiana and across the country. Grocery stores …

Eviction can not only create housing instability, it can also make it more difficult to apply for credit down the road. (Elnur/Adobe Stock)

Four-in-10 Indiana Evictions Occur in Marion County

INDIANAPOLIS — A new analysis of eviction rates in Indiana's largest county provides insight into how the problem might be better addressed acro…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

2024Talks - September 18, 2024

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IN: Poverty Issues