INDIANAPOLIS, IN (AP) -
A national survey has found that one in five Indiana children were living in poverty in 2010, a number that's risen 29 percent since 2005.
The 2011 Kids Count report released Wednesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Indiana 31st in the nation in terms of the overall well-being of its children. The report found 22 percent of Indiana children lived in poverty in 2010, up from 17 percent in 2005.
Officials with the Indiana Youth Institute say the increase is connected to other factors in the report.
They say the report shows the number of Indiana children living in single-parent homes has risen 17 percent and studies show those children are five to six times more likely to end up living in poverty.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
For children who need help right here in Evansville, especially as kids head back to school, some help is available at Unity Fest.
It is taking place on Thursday, July 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Center in Evansville.
The event is the 2012 Back-2-School Supply Giveaway, hosted by Evansville Christian Life Center, Evansville Ministers' Wives Council, Coalition of Inner-City Neighborhoods, HOLA, and the EVSC.
Free school supplies and back packs will be available for students in need of assistance. Also new uniform-style clothing will be available at $1 per item.
The event is for students entering kindergarten through 8th grade; children must be accompanied by adult.
For more information call Lois Duncan at 812-598-3741 (day or evening), Sharon Taylor at 812-423-9222 or Anita Hays at 812-435-8343.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
