1 in 5 active-duty military families rely on food aid, which is set to expire Nov. 1

Food Insecurity in the Military - As many as 20% of active duty military service members depend on some sort of food assistance [1] - A 30% to 35% surge in need was observed at food pantries immediately after the shutdown [2] - Nearly 26% of active duty service members are considered food insecure [3] - 15% of active duty service members are on food stamps or going to food banks [3] Contributing Factors - Spouses of service members are often underemployed or unemployed at a rate six times the civilian population [4] - Military families are moved every 2 to 3 years, hindering career progression for spouses [5] - Military families are often located in high cost of living areas or remote locations with limited economic opportunities [5] - Child care needs are critically linked to food insecurity within the military [6] Potential Solutions - Addressing the child care piece and enabling spouses to achieve careers is a realistic opportunity [7] - Fixing and funding child care would significantly improve the financial well-being of many American families [9]