Children typically celebrate when the school year comes to a close.  But for the more than 30 million American children from low-income families who rely on free or reduced school lunches, summer can be an uncertain time.

Without the stability of free or reduced lunches, these children are at a higher risk of going hungry during the summer months.  Many of these children’s parents simply can’t afford three well-balanced meals a day. 

When you support our U.S. feeding programs, you help us ensure that school-age children receive the food and essentials they need to make it through the summer months.

Bankruptcy is often perceived to be the result of wasteful spending or gross financial mismanagement.  But according to a recent study cited on CNN, 60 percent of bankruptcies in the U.S. are actually prompted by major medical bills. 

“Unless you’re a Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, you’re one illness away from financial ruin in this country,” says Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., of Harvard Medical School.

Most of those who filed for bankruptcy were middle-class, well-educated homeowners.

What’s more, three-quarters of the people with a medically-related bankruptcy actually had insurance.  But with their average out-of-pocket medical expenses running $17,943, insurance simply wasn’t enough to save these families. 

Feed The Children helps families all across the U.S. who have hit rock-bottom financially.  We are hearing from families who, until recently, have been relatively financially stable.  But the economy is definitely taking its toll, as is the high cost of health insurance.  To learn how we are helping American families make it through this difficult time, click here.

Holley makes just $6.55 an hour.  To earn a “living wage” in her part of the country, she would need to earn more than double that amount.

Holley is trying to find a second job to make ends meet.  But even if she can find additional work in this difficult job market, money will still be tight.  Her husband recently suffered a stroke which left him disabled, further straining their finances.

Before, Holley and her family could afford veggies and meat for their meals.  Now they are limited to budget-stretching staples like ramen noodles, rice and potatoes. 

It keeps them fed, but is hardly a balanced diet.

Feed The Children works to help families like Holley’s every day.  We work in all 50 states (and internationally) to ensure that low-income families receive the food they need. Our generous corporate partners help us supply a wide variety of food items to nourish hungry American children and families.

To learn how you can help families like Holley’s survive difficult times, click here.