The Numbers of Unemployed vs. Unfed

Sometimes news reports give us statistics about unemployment and include numbers about underemployed. The reports often include references to states or regions and they factor in whichever quarter the author decides to reference.  It gets confusing.  Whatever variables are included in reports, it is no wonder people don't like numbers, but it is basic elementary school math.

It is important to know that nobody knows exactly how many people are employed because nobody counts them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the numbers based on a random sampling of the population. When was the last time you were included in a “random sampling”? Talk about variables!

Today, when I was reading about the labor market in the United States of America I read that the unemployment rate dropped from 8.3 percent to 8.1 percent. This is better than the ten percent that was reported in October of 2009 but that doesn't give us any actual facts, but I am more concerned about SNAP.

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program that we commonly refer to as “food stamps”. Reports have been released that fifteen percent of American citizens at receiving benefits from the SNAP program. Again, it is basic elementary school math. Stop one hundred people on the street and fifteen of them require nutritional assistance. 

More jobs will always mean there is less unemployment, but it will also reduce the number of hungry people.  Please help your local food pantry or visit Feeding America.