Kids Count Report – New Hampshire

Posted on August 5, 2011 by townsend

• Survey: 19 percent more NH children got food stamps between 2008 and 2009, By Michael Brindley, August 5, 2011, Nashua Telegraph: “The number of New Hampshire children whose families receive food stamps increased by 19 percent from 2008 to 2009, according to a study released today gauging the health of the state’s children. The annual New Hampshire Kids Count Data Survey, released by the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire, uses 33 data points to measure the well-being of children in the state. Among the findings in this year’s report is that an average of 16.8 percent of children aged 0 to 17, or one out of every six minors, participated in the food stamp program in 2008 and 2009. During that period, overall participation increased by 19 percent, according to the study. This was attributed to factors such as rising unemployment during the recession and the rising cost of food…”
• Report tracks childhood hunger in NH, By Cara Hogan, August 5, 2011, Eagle Tribune: “A group of six children come into the Sonshine Soup Kitchen in Derry a few times a week to eat a meal. ‘I don’t know where the parents are, if they’re working or what,’ Christine Fudala, director of Sonshine Soup Kitchen said. ‘The kids are about middle-school age and they’re always thankful and respectful. School’s out so the food might not be there for them at home.’ They are some of the many children whose families are struggling to feed them and house them. The number of children in New Hampshire on food stamps increased by 19 percent from 2008 to 2009 and homeless students increased 21 percent in the same time period, according to the New Hampshire Kids Count Data Book released this week. The study tracks the well-being of New Hampshire’s children, according to Ellen Fineberg, executive director of the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire…”