ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
Pearland, Alvin and Friendswood ISDs have each seen its economically disadvantaged student population rise in the past eight school years with it making up 30% or more of its population in both PISD and AISD.
isn’t really about food; food insecurity is about income,” Greene said. Ongoing challenges According to the Labor Law Center, Texas is one of 20 states in the U.S. that has not raised its minimum wage over the past decade and is still at the fed- eral minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Meanwhile, the consumer price index for all urban consumers has risen by 8.6% in the past 12 months as of May,
“We run over 60 trucks a day. We spend $3,000 plus on fuel per day, six days a week—and that was before the gas prices went up,” Greene said. In the first quarter of 2021, the Gal- veston County Food Bank spent about $4,800 a month in fuel to deliver food to area food banks. This year, it has been about $9,600 a month so far, VanAckeren said. The Houston Food Bank has pro- vided some relief by waiving a main-
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Pearland ISD Friendswood ISD
Alvin ISD
51.06%
60% 50%
49.22%
32.89%
40%
27.03%
according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Suzy Domingo, executive director of Interfaith Caring Ministries, said she sympathized with residents unable to earn enough to afford basic needs.
tenance fee it used to charge organi- zations it delivered food to like the Bra- zoria County Dream Center. The Houston Food Bank first waived the fee in March 2020 due to the pandemic and
30%
“THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE. THEY’RE JUST NOT PAYING ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE INCREASE OF LIVING." SUZY DOMINGO, INTERFAITH CARING MINISTRIES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
20%
11.1%
7.94%
10%
0
*ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS UNDER THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM, AMONG OTHER CRITERIA.
Interfaith provides several services, including free food, to Clear Creek ISD and FISD families in need. “There are jobs out there. They’re just not paying enough to keep up with the increase of living,” Domingo said. Food banks, which deliver products for distribution via diesel trucks, are also dealing with their own set of chal- lenges as prices rise, Greene said.
has not charged organizations since. Willis said the Houston Food Bank will not be charging the fee for the 2023 fis- cal year, which stretches from July of this year to June 2023. Brazoria County Dream Center’s monthly fee was $1,200, Willis said. Rising food costs affect distributors as well. In April 2021, Interfaith gave about the same amount of food to
residents as it did this April at a cost of $20,600. In April 2022, the cost was $27,400, Domingo said. VanAckeren, Willis and Domingo said they have all seen donations dry up recently. While local churches and groups such as Boy Scouts have been reliable food donors in the past, they have been more scarce recently,
meaning Interfaith has to spend more of its own money buying food to meet demand, Domingo said. “We are seeing a bigger need, less donations,” Willis said.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JULY 2022
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