2019 Kids Count statistics reflect need

Children’s Fund asks for your help

The Children’s Christmas Fund is in full gear for 2020 – And the need is there.

According to a newly released report through “Kids Count,” in 2019, 12 million children in the United States – 17 percent of America’s children – were living in poverty. The good news is that the number and percentage are the lowest since 2001 - but the numbers are still staggering – and this set of numbers reflects conditions prior to the onset of the COVID – 19 pandemic.

In 2019, living in poverty meant that a family of two adults and two children had an income of less than $25,926 and HALF of these children live in homes that fall under the 200 percent of Federal Poverty level.

Central Nebraska is not immune. “Kids Count” records for Custer County are available for up to 2017. In 2017, 390 children residing in Custer County ages 17 and younger were recorded as living in poverty, 16 percent of the population for that age group.

An estimated 450 children 17 and younger live with food insecurities. Of our school age children, 824 students throughout Custer County receive free or reduced lunches at school.

As of October 26, 2020, “Kids Count” estimates that in Nebraska, 43 percent of adults living with children have lost employment income due to COVID-19.

The Children’s Christmas Fund works to help these families not only at Christmas, but also throughout the year. For example, when the pandemic hit, and schools moved to digital learning, The fund stepped in and provided the Food Pantry with additional resources to help feed our families in need.

We are asking for your help. The Fund is a 501c3. The volunteers are just that volunteers, there are no salaries to pay, and shopping is completed locally, so that your giving stays within Custer County. The fund helped support 190 families with over 400 children in 2019 at Christmas with a food for the holidays and gifts for the children, and senior citizens who are alone.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

FYI: KIDS COUNT is a project of the Annie E.

Casey Foundation and a research-based source of data on children and families. Each year, the Foundation produces a comprehensive report — the KIDS COUNT Data Book — that assesses child well-being in the United States. The indicators featured in the Data Book are also available in the Data Center located at https:// datacenter.kidscounty.org.

Within Nebraska “Kids County” is assisted by “Voices for Children” a statewide, independent, non-profit child advocacy organization committed to building a powerful and effective voice for children through research, public education and system advocacy.