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The Merlette Foundation serves as a vital support system for families by easing financial challenges and creating pathways to stability, dignity, and long-term growth.
“~10.35 million U.S. children (under 18) lived in poverty in 2024, which is a 14.3% child poverty rate.”
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau/CPS ASEC “Official Poverty Measure” table in the 2024 poverty report.)
“~333 million children worldwide live in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15/day.”
(Source: UNICEF, World Bank Group. PRESS RELEASE NO: 2024/014/EFI)
“A national back-to-school survey reported 39% of parents said they were unable to afford back-to-school shopping, 44% planned to take on debt, and 54% planned to sacrifice necessities (like groceries) to cover school needs.”
(Source: Intuit Credit Karma. Press Release on 07/17/2025)
“And even for families earning well above the poverty line, the cost of housing and childcare can be so high that there is simply no money to spend on anything else. Around 70% of children living in poverty have at least one parent in work.”
(Source: CNN. Issy Ronald on 11/23/2025)
“48% of parents said that most days their stress is completely overwhelming.”
(Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Surgeon General on 02/19/2025)