HUNGER AT HOME Its Costs to our Economy and our Society

America’s Hunger Bill  High poverty and hunger rates among U.S. children reduce the value of economic output by several hundred billion dollars annually.  Food insecurity for families and communities has clear economic consequences that cross a number of sectors.  Education  Health  Law Enforcement  Short-term expenditures to put off the effects of poverty and unemployment on children and youth could have major fiscal payoffs that offset their initial costs. Billion source: americanprogress.org

 U.S. economic output reduced by as much as 4 percent of GDP each year (roughly $500 billion), caused by:  Low productivity and earnings  Poor health  High levels of crime and incarceration among adults who grew up poor  Failure of high school dropouts to obtain diplomas costs the public sector about $125 billion in lost revenues each year.  Every percentage point increase in the dropout rate each year would reduce federal revenue by $5 billion over time. We Pay for Poor Performance “…likely a conservative estimate.” - Penny Wise, Pound Foolish

We Pay for Poor Health  Intermittent hunger contributes to binge eating and overeating to cope with stress and depression.  Hunger in babies wreaks havoc on their metabolism and makes them more susceptible to obesity later in life.  Medical costs of obesity are estimated at $147 billion per year.  Hunger among children affects cognitive development and leads to lower academic achievement. Estimated yearly cost of hunger- related health expenses.

How SNAP Helps Nutrition programs like SNAP are one of the most cost-effective ways to control rising healthcare costs, which pose a much greater long-term threat to the nation’s economy than the cost of nutrition programs.

Greater Need than Ever Percent 14.5 Of U.S. population is food insecure $731 Average monthly gross income for all SNAP households  The Great Recession has only tightened hunger’s grip on American communities.  Keeping hunger at bay will demand timely action from government at all levels and civil society. 2010

How We Compare  The U.S. has some of the highest child poverty and infant mortality rates of the developed world. source United States

Ahead of the Curb: Philadelphia  Philadelphia has set very ambitious goals for ending hunger in its neighborhoods.  It has developed a city-wide prevention and response network.

 Your city or community can join a greater movement against hunger: The Hunger Free Communities Network  This network combines the efforts of:  Government agencies, businesses, faith groups, health service providers, educational institutions, civic associations, foundations and non-profit organizations Connect with the network and find resources at:

Read the 2013 Hunger Report  The most current policy analysis on hunger—at home and around the world—and how to end it.  Find interactive tools, info- graphics, a Christian study guide and much more at the hunger report website.