Index of Poverty Rose in 2015

(April 17) – The level of human need in the United States increased 15 percent on a year-over-year basis in 2015, a report from the Salvation Army and Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University finds. Based on aggregate data tracking seven services commonly delivered by nonprofits — meals provided, groceries, clothing, housing, furniture, medical assistance, and help with energy bills — the Human Needs Index found that the level of need nationwide fell from 3.00 in 2012 to 2.57 in 2013 and 1.97 in 2014, but rose to 2.28 in 2015 — with increases in all categories except groceries provided.