According to the "Map the Meal Gap" study released by the Kansas Food Bank and Feeding America, 14.3 percent of Kansans--nearly 400,000 people--suffered from "food insecurity". The rate for children in Kansas is even higher--22.6 percent, or about 158,000 children. Of these, the study estimates that approximately 40% do not qualify for federal food aid, because their families make more than the allowable 185% above the poverty level.
Check out this fascinating Interactive Map which gives information on food insecurity rates down to the county level. Mouse over a state to see the stats for the state, and click on a county to see county-level info.
More information on hunger in America is available at Feeding America.org
"In many ways, America is the land of plenty. But for 1 in 6 Americans, hunger is a reality. Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are confined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the country, or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different.
It’s time to educate ourselves about the causes of hunger in America." ~ Feeding America web site