High numbers of people in Missouri continue to battle food
insecurity, according to the latest Map the Meal Gap study
data published by the hunger-relief organization, Feeding
America.
The study, which uses data from the United States Census
Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan, found
that nearly one in eight, or 813,840 Missouri residents are
food insecure. About 209,870, or one in seven, are
children.
Projected Increase in Food Security
Across the nation, about 37 million Americans, including
more than 11 million children, lack affordability and access
to enough nutritious food on a consistent basis, Map the
Meal Gap data shows. The national food insecurity rate
decreased from 12.5% in 2017 to 11.5% in 2018.
Missouri, too, has seen a decrease in its food insecurity
rate, from 14.2% in 2017 to 13.3% in 2018. However,
because of COVID-19, Feeding America, in a companion
study, projects an increase in both national and local food
security rates this year. In Lafayette County, the rate is
expected to rise to 17.3%, compared to 12.3% in 2018.
Job and Income Loss
Unemployment is one reason for the food insecurity
exacerbation in this coronavirus climate. At a 10%
unemployment rate, nearly 303,259 people are
experiencing unemployment, according to the Missouri
Department of Economic Development latest Jobs Report.
Statewide total unemployment decreased by some 5,235
people between April and May. However, data shows that
since March, the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
(DOLIR) has received an estimated 688,483 initial
unemployment claims by workers who had been laid-off or
furloughed (temporarily laid off), due to the global
outbreak, travel restrictions, and social distancing
measures.
These workers lost their jobs involuntarily — and, under
federal law, are indeed eligible for unemployment insurance
(UI) payments, including regular unemployment
compensation (UC) and pandemic unemployment
assistance (PUA). But, initially, many had difficulty getting
them due to outdated technology, busy phone lines, claim
backlogs and delays.
Many UI claimants now receive their cash payments from
the DOLIR. Yet, while it serves as a consistent income
source for making ends meet, many laid-off and furloughed
workers are struggling to meet their financial obligations,
as noted by recent research.
In May, RAND Corporation researchers surveyed more than
2,000 American individuals with low-, middle-, and high-
incomes. They found that, while about 30 percent of
individuals at all income levels were having difficulty with
paying their bills, such bill paying problems were highly
concentrated among low-income households, specifically
Black and Hispanic households.
and
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By: Priscilla Christopher, Contributing Writer
PAGE 04 July 2020
