LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Poverty begets poverty. If parents are impoverished, chances are, kids will get caught in the same cycle.
And over the past decade, more and more kids are falling below the line in Arkansas. Numbers released today show 26 percent overall in Arkansas, but in some counties it's as high as 50 percent right now.
On the upside, poverty did not go up in Arkansas from last year to this year. And the study found anti-hunger programs like SNAP and school meals work.
But, with nearly 50 million Americans trapped in poverty, much more work is needed.
Gerard Matthews with Arkansas Advocates for Families and Children says there is a solution.
"Make sure kids are well-educated and healthy. That means improving prenatal care, making sure kids have access to preschool and making sure they have access to early childhood education programs."
You can help just by taking a few cans of food to a pantry will help, or even a small donation to a feeding program.
To search for registered charities in Arkansas, visit: http://www.arkansasag.gov/charity/search.php