Young girl eating cereal.Children from birth through age 19 are the largest single group (42%) receiving emergency food assistance. Also, a significant portion of those needing emergency food (47%) are children or senior citizens - persons who are too young or too old to join the workforce.

The working poor is the largest group of families (41%) receiving emergency food assistance.


Chart of Beneficiairies by Age: 0-19 42%, 20-59 53%, 60+ 5%Beneficiary Ages

  • 42%     0 to 19
  • 53%     20 to 59
  •   5%     60+

Note: 47% are chldren or elderly.


chart-raceBeneficiary Ethnicity

  • White:   56%   
  • Black:   24%
  • Hispanic:   16%
  • Native American:  4%

Beneficiaries by Income SourceFamily Income

  • 41%     Employed
  •   4%     Social Security
  • 11%     Public Assistance
  •   4%     Child Support
  • 39%     Disability Income
  •   1%     Pension

Poverty in Shawnee County:

Children under the age of 5 experience the highest rate of poverty for any age group in Topeka and Shawnee County, with 17% living below the poverty line.

The highest rate of poverty is experienced by single mothers with children under 5 only (43%) followed by single mothers who have children under 5 and children 5 to 17 (39%). The lowest poverty rate is reported for married couple families with children 5 to 17 (2%).

Sources:
"Household Member Demographics, Food Pantry/Groceries 2009,"  Topeka MAACLink, Community Resources Council.
"Personal and Family Poverty Tables," 2000 Census of Population & Housing, Topeka, KS MSA, U.S. Bureau of the Census.