Texas leads nation in rate of households at risk for hunger

This is a tragic state of our state. -Angela

Texas leads nation in rate of households at risk for hunger

By LIZ AUSTIN
Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN — A higher percentage of Texas households were at risk of going hungry over the past three years than in any other state, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Between 2002 and 2004, more than 16 percent of Texas households were food insecure, meaning that at some point they had trouble providing enough food for all their family members, the USDA report said.

In nearly 5 percent of Texas households, at least one family member went hungry at least one time during that period because they couldn't afford enough food. That's the fourth-highest rate in the country.

Nationwide, 11.4 percent of households were at risk of going hungry during that period, and 3.6 percent of U.S. households had at least one member go hungry, the USDA said.

While Texas has consistently ranked among the top five states, this is the first year it leads the nation, said Celia Hagert, a senior policy analyst at the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates more state spending on education and social programs.

The news didn't surprise Mildred Wauson, director of the St. Thomas Center in Angleton, about 40 miles south of Houston. Her nine-church ecumenical program runs a food pantry, helps people pay their rent and utility bills and provides other emergency services.

Wauson said she's seen a significant increase in the number of families seeking help from their food pantry and twice as many senior citizens.

"You hear all the time about how the United States is getting so much better off and I'm thinking, 'Wait a minute, how about us down here?'" she said.

Texas was one of just nine states to see statistically significant increases in food insecurity and hunger rates when the USDA compared three-year average rates for 1999-2001 and 2002-2004.

An average of nearly 14 percent of Texas households were at risk for hunger between 1999 and 2001, and an average of 3.6 percent of Texas households experienced hunger.

Nationally, an average of 10.4 percent of households were at risk for hunger between 1999 and 2001, and an average of 3.1 percent of households experienced hunger.

J. Larry Brown, the director of the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Brandeis University, pointed out that the increases came at a time when the economy actually was improving. While more people are working, they're getting paid less, he said.

"People are constantly having to make decisions when they get their small paychecks about whether they pay their rent or medical care or put groceries on the table," Brown said.

Because people often can't control their rent, utility and medical bills, their food budget often takes the first hit, he said. The worst off go hungry, he said, while others buy food that's cheap and filling but nutritionally empty.

Another problem is low rates of participation in federally-funded food stamp programs.

About 2.4 million Texans received food stamps in August, Texas Health and Human Services Commission spokeswoman Jennifer Harris said. (That number spiked after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as the commission temporarily relaxed standards for families affected by the storms.)

An estimated 2 million more Texans are eligible for food stamps but don't get the help they need, Hagert said.

Some people don't know they're eligible, Hagert said, while others have gotten turned off by the complicated enrollment process or fear the stigma of applying for help.

"An unacceptable number of Texans and Texas families are suffering from hunger ... and there's no reason why with all this federal money out there to support the food stamp program," Hagert said.

Wauson said churches and schools in the Angleton area are doing everything they can to help the center's food pantry, but she's concerned the support could wane as time goes on and energy bills go up this winter.

"We have put such a plea out to everyone for so long now ... that I keep wondering are we going to overtax them and they're going to say I can't do anymore," she said. "That's a great concern."

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/gen/ap/TX_Hunger_Study.html