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I think the findings from yesterday's Census Pulse data bear repeating in light of current negotiations on a COVID leg package.
Yesterday’s Census Pulse data from mid-November showed that almost 26 million adults, about 12% of all adults, reported that their families were not getting enough to eat. Policymakers urgently need to address this continued crisis. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/new-data-on-hardship-underscore-continued-need-for-substantial-covid
Recently there have been stories across the country of people lining up, sometimes for hours, to get help feeding their families. With COVID-19 surging, millions out of work and exhausting savings, many are struggling to afford basic needs. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/business/hunger-coronavirus-economy/
Up to 11 million kids lived in households where children weren’t getting enough to eat. Not only are many kids struggling with online learning and other challenges, many face empty plates that will make it much harder for them to learn and grow. /3 https://www.cbpp.org/blog/as-thanksgiving-approaches-fewer-than-half-of-households-with-kids-very-confident-about
The number reporting food hardship is dramatically higher than normal times, has been consistently high during the COVID-19 pandemic. As this crisis has dragged on and Congress hasn’t provided more relief for struggling families, the situation has gotten worse for many families.
News reports suggest that Congress may be inching closer to a deal on pandemic relief. Let’s hope so- with millions set to lose unemployment insurance, eviction protections, and other help if Congress doesn’t act, the situation will get even more dire.