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"A rather startling calculation came recently via the Sioux Falls School District: Almost half of the students in the city's schools qualify for free or reduced lunches. That means almost every other student in class lives in a family poor enough to qualify for financial assistance from the federal school lunch program."

"Advocacy groups held the 24th annual People's State of the State on Tuesday, pushing for an end to income inequality, more money for schools and aid to lower homelessness."

"In 2014, millions of people are expected to shift between the health exchanges and Medicaid as their income fluctuates. That could be costly for states and insurance companies, and patients could wind up having gaps in coverage or having to switch health plans or doctors."

"More Ionia County kids are growing up in families struggling to make ends meet, according to the 2013 Kids Count in Michigan report, which offers clear steps to a brighter future for those children."

"Medically disabled and living below the poverty line, Frison often goes to bed hungry. Even more often since she lost her food stamp benefits four months ago. She said she only got the $16-a-month minimum, but at least the food stamps were enough to buy chicken neck bones. With beans, rice and noodles, she could make the meals last."

"Suffolk's Department of Social Services is reducing the amount some 300 low-income parents have to pay out-of-pocket for child care coverage, because of an increase in state funding."

"According to the report, state law authorizes local social service districts to fund child care for families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, for example, $39,060 for a family of three. Subsidies are also mandated for working families on welfare, with a one-year transitional benefit."

"Boston Public Schools are facing significant challenges many of which, including turnaround schools, busing costs, and deteriorating buildings, are well known. Yet increasingly, school leaders are counting higher percentages of homeless children among their student body. It's an issue that's largely been kept quiet, but one that puts our city's children and education system at significant risk. To continue to ignore the problem simply because there's not an easy solution is unacceptable."

"Medically disability and living below the poverty line, Frison often goes to bed hungry. Even more often since she lost her food stamp benefits four months ago."

"It's a challenge that's ratcheting up pressure on educators who struggle to aid students who have fallen years behind their classmates after a lifetime of bouncing between hotels, shelters and cramped multi-family apartments."