FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/29/09

Contact: JC Dwyer, 817-721-9352

jcdwyer@gmail.com

New Data Shows Rise in Texas Hunger, Millions in Poverty

Census Reveals Vulnerable Families, Children Hit by Recession as Early as 2008

Detailed poverty data released today by the U.S. Census confirmed the economy’s impact
on vulnerable Texas families as early as 2008. 3,760,431 Texans (15.8%) were found
living in poverty. A survey of Texas food banks also found a universal rise in demand
due to the recession.

The Census numbers revealed a startling number of Texas families living under the
federal poverty line of $17,163 for a family of three. 1,497,803 Texas children (22.5%)
were found living in these households, which often coped with rising costs and stagnating
wages by turning to nutrition programs like those run by the Texas food banks.

“Every one of our food banks has seen a large increase in demand,” said Barbara
Anderson, state director for the Texas Food Bank Network (TFBN). “Today’s numbers
underscore the need for increased community support and federal action to address the
needs of these families.”

The food bank survey, conducted by national group Feeding America, found that Texas
food banks have seen a dramatic increase in families requesting assistance as a result of
the recession. The food banks were also found to be serving a significant number of new
clients (see Chart 1 below for local numbers).

Legislation now being considered by Congress could ease the burden on food banks by
expanding existing child nutrition programs. Lawmakers have pledged that any
expansion of these programs will not add to the federal deficit.

“We hope our Texas Congress members will help us meet or exceed the President’s
request for child nutrition program expansion,” said JC Dwyer, State Policy Coordinator
for TFBN. “In the face of growing need, we cannot afford not to act.”

Detailed Census numbers are available on the attached grid and at Census.gov. Full
reports from each Texas food bank are available at http://j.mp/ODED0. The Texas Food
Bank Network provides a unified voice among nineteen food banks serving every county
in Texas in support of a common mission to end hunger.

Continued…
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 Chart 1: Poverty, Increased Demand For Food Go Hand in Hand
st
Increased Increase in 1 - Poverty in Largest Local Children
Food Bank & in Poverty
Demand Time Clients? Local County
South TX Food Bank Call for details Call for details Webb: 62,963 (26.9%) 31,185 (36.2%)

East TX Food Bank 11% Yes Smith: 24,732 (12.6%) 9,638 (19%)

Capital Area Food Bank 40% Yes Travis: 144,336 (14.8%) 47,723 (19.1%)
Hidalgo: 253,798
Food Bank of the RGV Call for details Yes (35.2%)
119,368 (46%)
Tom Green: 12,826
Concho Valley Food Bank Call for details Call for details
(12.5%)
4,873 (18.3%)

Houston Food Bank 23% Yes Harris: 606,338 (15.3%) 260,682 (23%)

Food Bank of Corpus Chr. 9% Yes Nueces: 54,203 (17.2%) 20,931 (24.6%)

W. Central TX Food Bank 15% Yes Taylor: 19,612 (16.4%) 7,199 (22.3%)
Jefferson: 36,687
Southeast TX Food Bank Call for details Call for details 16,634 (28.5%)
(16.7%)
Brazos Valley Food Bank Call for details Call for details Brazos: 43,448 (26.9%) 8,472 (22.4%)

North Texas Food Bank Call for details Yes Dallas: 414,272 (17.4%) 176,894 (26.2%)

High Plains Food Bank 44% Yes Potter: 26,189 (22.2%) 10,502 (30.2%)
Tarrant: 211,379
Tarrant Area Food Bank 20% Yes (12.2%)
85,402 (17.5%)

Wichita Falls Food Bank 19% Yes Wichita: 13,105 (11.3%) 4,319 (13.7%)
Lubbock: 37,907
South Plains Food Bank 33% Yes 10,818 (16.4%)
(14.8%)
Victoria Food Bank 32% Yes Victoria: 13,902 (16.3%) 5,727 (24.8%)

San Antonio Food Bank 31% Yes Bexar: 273,347 (17.2%) 108,208 (23.9%)
Montgomery: 39,833
Montgomery Cty Food Bank Call for details Call for details 15,291 (13.2%)
(9.4%)
Ector, El Paso:
6,676 (17.1%)
West TX Food Bank Call for details Call for details 18,809 (14.5%) 81,657 (35.9%)
186,344 (25.5%)

More detailed Census numbers are available at Census.gov.

Full reports from each Texas food bank are available at http://j.mp/ODED0.

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