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.
Beneficiary Ages
- 42% 0 to 19
- 53% 20 to 59
- 5% 60+
Note: 47% are chldren or elderly.
Beneficiary Ethnicity
- White: 56%
- Black: 24%
- Hispanic: 16%
- Native American: 4%
Family 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.
