Florida

"These supplies mean so much to our schools and to the students,' said Orange County school Superintendent Barbara Jenkins. We ended last school year with nearly 5,000 students whose families were homeless, and that number will likely climb in the coming school year. Other families are struggling to make ends meet, so school supplies can't be their priority.'"

"Those who work with Space Coast seniors hope an emphasis on nutrition-related programs, from occasional on-site farmers markets to dietary advice, will help vulnerable residents steer clear of malnutrition. They're especially concerned about low-income residents; those with undetected, age-related problems that reduce their ability to absorb nutrients; and seniors lacking regular contact with family or friends."

"Hiawassee Elementary was Orange's showcase school this year for bringing its grade up to an A from last year's C. The school qualifies for federal Title I funding because it has large numbers of students who are just learning English or come from low-income families."

"Fewer low-income children across the country received free or discounted meals during the 2011 summer break than a year earlier, despite steady increases nationwide in the number of children dependent on subsidized meals during the school year, according to a study released this month."

"Don't look for me to help elect Mitt Romney president, but those who use the presidential election as a partisan guide to private learning options for low-income children are playing their own brand of education politics."

"The number of Florida's children living in poverty swelled 35 percent from 2006 to 2010 -- an increase that especially hurt black and Hispanic youth -- a new report shows. Using the most recent statistics available, the report found that nearly one in every four Florida children, or about 924,000 collectively, now lives below the federal poverty line."