– A survey out today from the Food Research and Action Center found that nearly one in five Americans was unable to buy the food they needed at some point last year.  A record high number of Americans (38 million) now receive food stamps.  The District of Columbia ranked 15th in FRAC’s list of states with the highest rates of food hardship in 2009.  Virginia and Maryland ranked 35th and 44th, respectively.  Click here to read the report.

– In this Washington Post column, the writer — a working mom — takes a real-life look at a new study that found that while America is the hardest working country in the developed world, it has some of the worst options for family support.  The result: some parents spend so much on child care, it’s like they’re paying to work.

–Young survivors of homelessness told their stories to legislators this week as advocates for homeless and runaway children asked Congress to expand funding for services.  Click here to listen to a WAMU story about the young people and their experiences.

– Teen pregnancy in the U.S. has increased for the first time in more than a decade.  According to the Washington Post, “the pregnancy rate among 15-to-19-year-olds increased 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 — the first jump since 1990….”  There are a variety of opinions about why there’s been an increase.  Click here for more details.

– Low-income Virginians may be eligible for free cell phones and wireless service as part of a new plan from Virgin Mobile USA.  An estimated 650,000 Virginians could receive the service.  Click here for more details.

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