INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) released their KIDS COUNT 2022 data book Tuesday. The 240 page book details many areas about where Indiana youth stand.
The main focus areas of the book are family and community, health, economic well-being and education.
Part of the book breaks down numbers of children in poverty. 3,355 homeless students were reported in Marion County. In 2020, around 1 in 10 Hoosiers (659,096) received SNAP benefits. That's an increase of about 100,000 people from 2019.
241,156 households received SNAP in 2020, and of those 127,668 had children younger than 18.
The breakdown of SNAP is only a small part of the data book. Another topic area focused is food insecurity.
"It's a huge, huge issue for our young people," said Jennifer Darby, the Chief Operating Officer for IYI.
The data shows more children in Indiana are going hungry and many aren't sure where their next meal is coming from.
Members of the community are trying to help children in many ways, starting with feeding them.
"We had an increase in the number of kids with child food insecurity," said Clint Kugler, the Vice President of Statewide Engagement and Advocacy for IYI.
The data shows 1 in 5 kids were food insecure in 2020 — meaning they weren't sure where or even when their next meal would come.
1 in 3 households with children reported their kids weren't eating enough because food was unfavorable.
"It's crushing, how can a child reach their full potential when they are struggling in this moment just to feed and have their next meal?" asked Kugler.
Kelvin Jarrett is a teacher and director of Skool Kidz Academy on the east side of Indianapolis. Part of his work is providing food for his students.
"It's very disturbing to hear that. That just makes this program much more important. We are serving kids; we are giving them a good healthy meal because we just don't know. We may be the only place that that child gets three good, solid meals a day," said Jarrett.
He helps prep meals to make sure none of his kids go home hungry.
"It's our responsibility as child care centers, as schools, and also as neighbors to make sure that everyone is getting the food they should be getting," he said.
Overall, Indiana ranks third-best among neighboring states: Illinois (21st), Michigan (28th), Indiana (29th), Ohio (31st), and Kentucky (37th).
-
Indiana tops list for the cheapest gas prices in the country
Governor Mike Braun on Wednesday said that thanks to the suspension of the gasoline usage tax and excise tax, Hoosiers have had the cheapest gas in the country for a month.
Police: Shots fired into SUV with children inside in Bloomington, suspect fled
Multiple shots were fired into a SUV with four children inside in Bloomington Monday night, police say.
Purdue basketball to play four games in Canada on foreign trip
Purdue men's basketball released the schedule for its foreign trip to Canada in July. Purdue will play four games, with the first game being against Vancouver Select on July 25.
Shane Steichen shares what excites him most about this Colts team
Colts head coach Shane Steichen is entering year four in Indianapolis, looking for his first playoff appearance with the Colts.
