Hunger, poverty and homelessness affect every nation — even the richest and most powerful. In 2022, 11.5% of the U.S. population lived in poverty. As we continue to deal with the economic fallout of inflation, it’s important to help our existing impoverished population and ensure we minimize the number of new people who fall into poverty.

Dr. Erin Kenny, associate professor of anthropology at Missouri State University, shares with WalletHub the challenges experienced by groups in need and ways to help them effectively.