search our site     home > key topics > food & nutrition assistance programs   vulnerable populations Certain groups of Americans--low-income families, children, and the elderly--are more at risk than others from changes in the economy or other social conditions. ERS research examines the government and private programs that attempt to improve the well-being of these groups and their ability to protect themselves from distress. related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs Vulnerable Populations feature Use of Food Pantries by Households With Children Rose During the Late 1990s—Although the percentage of U.S. households using food pantries declined roughly 10 percent from 1996 to 2000, the number of visits to food pantries actually increased 2 percent from 1998 to 2000. Households with children accounted for the entire increase in number of visits. Two-parent families made over 20 percent more visits over the 2-year period, and single-parent families also turned to food pantries more often but at a smaller rate of increase. These increases occurred when Food Stamp Program participation was on the decline as a result of a strong U.S. economy and welfare reform legislation, suggesting that not all households that left the program achieved self-sufficiency. web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov updated: January 30, 2003  Also at ERS... latest publications (all) • Understanding the Food Stamp Program Participation Decisions of TANF Leavers • Prototype Notebook: Short Questions on Dietary Intake, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors • Amber Waves, September 2004 latest data products (all) • Summer Food Service Program Map Machine resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page

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