
Nearly half of Americans believe they would have difficulty paying an unexpected $500 bill without borrowing, according to the Century Foundation. (Adobe Stock)
It is Hunger Action Month and people in Wisconsin are skipping meals to make ends meet, according to a recent study from the think tank the Century Foundation, which showed growing economic concerns are sweeping the nation.
Angela Hanks, chief of policy programs for the foundation, said respondents are concerned changes to government policies might exacerbate their financial challenges. She reported more than 80% of those surveyed worry about grocery costs and about 50% are stressed about rent and mortgage payments.
Two-thirds would be unable to cover an unexpected medical expense.
“We also asked what people are doing in this environment to make ends meet,” Hanks explained. “One of the more startling findings was that one in four had skipped meals in the last year to save money.”
Roughly one in 10 Wisconsinites experience food insecurity. The survey found more than 35% of respondents were tapping into savings and using credit cards to pay bills, and about 30% were taking on debt to cover basic needs.
Hanks emphasized the economic unease transcends party lines, particularly impacting Black and Latino households, and low- and middle-income families. She noted the survey highlighted particular concern about the effects of President Donald Trump’s policies, with nearly 80% of respondents worried about tariffs raising prices and 75% fearing a possible recession.
Hanks emphasized people feel economic changes in their everyday lives before they appear in official economic indicators but recent measures seem to reinforce the unease.
“In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen some concerning signs for the economy,” Hanks observed. “We have slower GDP growth, inflation that’s not tremendously high, but is trending now in the wrong direction. And we got news two weeks ago that the labor market is not as solid as we thought it once was.”
Hanks contended the polices of the past seven months are not set in stone and argued policymakers should seriously reconsider approaches to health care, food assistance, and tariffs. She emphasized needed investments in families, a rollback of enacted cuts and increased efforts to ensure Americans can have stable lives without facing such severe economic insecurity.
“I hope that looking at this data, whether it’s the Trump administration or other policymakers on both sides of the island Congress, that they’re really thinking hard about the fact that Americans cannot take another hit,” Hanks underscored.
Related: WATCH: Tariffs are hitting Wisconsin farmers where it hurts

10 extreme Wisconsin weather events caught on camera
Blizzards, tornadoes, and floods are no strangers to us. Check out this footage of some extreme weather events Wisconsin has experienced over the...

Jack Link’s beef: How the snack giant is lobbying Trump and fighting the MAHA movement
By: John McCracken The world’s largest meat snack brand has spent millions on Trump campaigns and is advocating for support in the nation’s...

‘What is happening?’ Milwaukee area recovers from record rain and flooding
The Milwaukee area began drying out Monday after weekend rain hit unofficial records in Wisconsin of more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) in less...

Newsletter Edition: Buildings older than Wisconsin itself
Plus: That time a pizza spot accidentally got some customers high Kicking off this week in Wisconsin news is an almost unbelievable story: The CDC...