Hunger spikes in the Tri-Cities
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- Washington is seeing a dramatic spike in hunger across the state.
A study from the USDA shows the number of hungry families has nearly doubled since 2008. Only six other states had higher rates.
Here in the Tri-Cities, the numbers aren't quite as bad. But local experts say those visiting food banks in the past two and a half years has still jumped nearly 50%.
"The regions where they grow the food are the hardest hit - and here we are - right here in our backyard - this is where we grow the majority of the food. According to the USDA, our region is having one of the hardest times," said Second Harvest Regional Director Julie Miller.
Miller says unemployment, under-employment and high medical deductibles contribute to the regional increase.
A study from the USDA shows the number of hungry families has nearly doubled since 2008. Only six other states had higher rates.
Here in the Tri-Cities, the numbers aren't quite as bad. But local experts say those visiting food banks in the past two and a half years has still jumped nearly 50%.
"The regions where they grow the food are the hardest hit - and here we are - right here in our backyard - this is where we grow the majority of the food. According to the USDA, our region is having one of the hardest times," said Second Harvest Regional Director Julie Miller.
Miller says unemployment, under-employment and high medical deductibles contribute to the regional increase.
With high un-employment-housing market a roller coaster-cost of living increasing faster than wages-high insurance premimums and richland and pasco wanting to build more schools, is it any wonder peolpe are hungry.Obama allowing a million and a half un-document {illegals} into our colleges that someone has to pay for.Travel and it is easy to see how broke the USA infrastructure is!Roads-bridges-dams and the literacy rate of people in other states is scary!Rome decayed from within and history repeats itself.If it were not for goverment money{HANFORD} THIS AREA WOULD BE IN ALLOT WORSE SHAPE THAN IT IS.WAKE UP AMERICA-WE CANNOT AFFORD OTHER COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES PROBLEMS UNTILL WE RESOLVE OUR OWN.