9 million New Jerseyans, 2 million of them poor

There are almost 9 million people in New Jersey, and almost 2 million of them are poor or close to poverty, according to a new report. A local New Jersey newscast interviewed Cecilia Zalkind, head of Voices member Advocates for Children of New Jersey:

“A child who’s hungry is not going to be able to learn,” explains Zalkind, who says that only 29 percent of children eligible for school lunch in New Jersey are getting it. It’s important, this segment reminds us, not to simply call all underachievement a school problem. Often, poverty is simply making learning harder. Watch the whole segment here, and while you’re there, befriend Advocates for Children of New Jersey!