Divorce is often an emotionally and financially devastating event, but here in Utah, where family sizes are larger than the national average, it can have particularly devastating consequences for women and children. Economic hardship following divorce is well-documented, and when combined with rising costs of living, many families find themselves facing not just financial insecurity, but also food insecurity.
Sabrina, a single Utah mother works as a special education teacher at a local school. Despite juggling two jobs and pursuing her own academic goals, Sabrina faces the challenge of stretching her time and financial resources to meet the demands of caring for two young sons.
The Financial Toll of Divorce on Women
In the year following parental separation, the financial drop-off is particularly severe for women, as they are statistically more likely to experience post-divorce poverty than men. Research indicates that one in five women experience divorce poverty, and one-third lose their homes. Additionally, many women do not receive full child support or alimony, further exacerbating financial struggles.
For many single mothers like Sabrina, the financial blow of divorce is compounded by challenges such as lack of recent work history, childcare responsibilities, and difficulty securing flexible employment. Many divorced mothers struggle to find jobs that pay a livable wage, increasing their reliance on programs such as WIC, school lunches, and other assistance programs. The latest data tells us 75% of women who file for assistance programs do so as the result of a divorce. Read that statistic again.
The Cost of Divorce and Its Impact on Family Budgets
The economic downturn following divorce has a direct effect on children as well. Financial resources previously available for the children are reduced by a 41% in the year following divorce or parental separation. With Utah’s higher-than-average family sizes, many divorced Utah mothers face and even greater economic hardship than their counterparts.
Sabrina’s dollars must be stretched even further, as both her sons have significant food allergies. Every trip to the grocery store is a balancing act to ensure she can provide both safe and nutritious food for two growing boys.
Utah Food Bank Childhood Programs
The intersection of divorce and food insecurity highlights the vulnerability of children. In addition to distributing food through a statewide network of 270 partner agencies across the state, Utah Food Bank offers several direct service programs to help address childhood hunger:
- Kids Cafe seeks to fill the nutrition gap that exists during out-of-school hours with nutritious after-school meals. Last year alone, this program provided 441,471 meals to children at risk of hunger.
- Mobile School Pantries complement both school meal programs and our other childhood hunger programs by providing a cost-effective food distribution point for children and their families at the end of the school day in a safe and trusted environment—the school. The impact of this program has been astounding—last year, we reached 456,087 individuals, 246,150 of whom were children.
To join us and support Utah families facing these challenges, click here to donate or volunteer. With your help, we can help ensure a brighter future for all Utahns striving to overcome financial hardship.