What Does Hunger Look Like in the Carolinas?
In the Carolinas, 41,204,000 people are struggling with hunger – and of them 12,938,000 are children.
1 in 8 people struggle with hunger
1 in 6 children struggle with hunger
People facing hunger in the Carolinas are estimated to report needing $22,267,592,013 more per year to meet their food needs.
The average cost of a meal in the Carolinas is $2.94.
Data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2015 study.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Charitable programs are unable to fully support those struggling with hunger. The combination of charity and government assistance programs are necessary to help bridge the meal gap. SNAP, formerly food stamps, provides temporary help for people going through hard times – providing supplemental money to buy food until they can get back on their feet.
In North Carolina, In South Carolina,
43.4% of households receiving SNAP benefits have children 48% of households receiving SNAP benefits have children
$2,395,550,386 distributed through SNAP$1,208,604,782 distributed through SNAP
SNAP generated $4,072,435,656 in economic activity* SNAP generated $2,054,628,129 in economic activity*
*Economists estimate that every dollar a household redeems through SNAP generates about $1.70 in economic activity.