
1 in 5 people

1 in 4 children
In Santa Cruz County, 1 in 5 face the threat of hunger. And for children the risk is even higher: 1 in 4.

More than Empty Stomachs
Going hungry is about more than empty stomachs and hunger pangs. People forced to skip meals also miss out on the nutrients their bodies need–adults can’t perform their jobs well and children can’t concentrate in school. And scarce resources mean the food they can afford is often high in calories and low in nutrition–such diets are behind the dramatic rise in obesity and related chronic diseases like diabetes, which are further harming low-income families and individuals, taxing the health care system, and raising the cost of health care for everyone.