POVERTY
Among all children under 18 years in the US, 41% are low-income, and 19% — approximately 1 in 5 — are poor. This means children are overrepresented among our nation’s poor; they represent 23% of the population but comprise 32% of all people in poverty. Bakhita Kids focuses on serving children in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.
In Virginia
36% (216,696) of children under age 6, live in low-income families. 32% (394,515) of children age 6 or older, live in low-income families.
In Maryland
Helping Baltimore City as it has the highest poverty rate in Maryland, at 21.8% of its population, and Baltimore’s poverty level is 131.5% above the state’s poverty line. 84% of Baltimore public school students are poor enough to qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.
In West Virginia
24% (87,604) of children in West Virginia live in poor families (National: 19%).