Children
33% of those served at emergency food programs in Contra Costa and Solano counties are children, making kids are one of the largest groups accessing our network of food assistance programs. Read below for key statistics on childhood hunger in our community and stories on the children we help.
- More than one out of ten children in Contra Costa and Solano counties live below the federal poverty level (approximately $18,000 per year for a family of three in 2009). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2007)
- In California, only 27 children receive lunch in the summer from the federal nutrition programs for every 100 low-income children who get lunch during the school year, and the national average is even worse. (Food Research and Action Center’s summer lunch report, Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation)
- 25.7% eligible students are not participating in the school lunch program in Contra Costa County and 30.7% in Solano County are not participating. (California Food Policy Advocates)
Real Stories
Read stories below about families who have received assistance through our Food For Children program and the Federal Food Stamp program. Real names are not used.
Sara, Food Stamp Recipient and mother of two
“My husband lost his job and the Food Stamp benefits helped for the three month transition,” says Sara. “I would have to stretch out the benefits, and the last week of the month was the hardest because everything was gone. I would then have to use cash for food. The Food Pantry helps with the gap too.” During the three months on food stamp benefits Sara’s husband completed his GED and now he has a higher salary, so they can make it on their own.
Molly, Food for Children Program participant
Molly has a 2 year old girl and 5 year old boy. She started coming to our Food For Children distribution in August after she was referred by WIC. “My husband is in the military and is stationed at Travis (Air Force Base),” said Molly. “We don’t have family and day care is so expensive so there’s no me working. I stay home with the kids and money is tight. This program is good and helps us.”
Tracey, Food Stamp Recipient
Tracey told us that the increase in her food stamp benefits from the stimulus package has improved her situation. “I am able to buy more food for my family, including meat and fruit,” said Tracey. “My child is able to eat more” and that is a great thing.
Lilly, Food Stamp Recipient
“The increase in benefits (from the federal stimulus package) has helped a lot and the food lasts longer,” says Lilly. “I have two children ages seven and eight, and I am able to increase meals and buy more fruit for my children.”
Caroline, 1st time Food for Children Program participant
Caroline’s husband is not working and he cannot find a job. She says, “I’m basically the only income in our house. I’m a CNA working full-time. I’ve been to the pantry at the Salvation Army twice. It helped when we needed it.” She was referred to our program through WIC of which she say, “I don’t know what we’d do without it.”