A Portrait of Hunger, the Social Safety Net, and the Working Poor

Millions of Americans turn to Food Stamps, soup kitchens and other hunger relief services to feed themselves and their families. Contrary to common perception, many of these families are working and yet their incomes are still insufficient to meet their basic needs. According to a recent two-year survey of over 2,000 clients at the largest food pantry in Northeast Iowa, 25 percent of people asking for food assistance were employed. What are the relationships between hunger, employment and government support programs? Why do people on government support programs or with jobs need donated food? To help answer these questions, this paper will present the comprehensive results of the Iowa survey, creating a portrait of the working population who rely regularly on non-profit food assistance.