AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Census Bureau released its numbers of poverty levels nationally and statewide, and they're startling. The numbers are the highest they've been since 1965. Revealing 1 and 7 Americans are living in poverty. Statewide, 5.2 million Texans are living on or below poverty. Some of the youngest victims are children, 1.7 million statewide. Research has shown that growing up in persistent poverty poses a high risk to a child's health and development.

"It is very crucial to health to growth of children and their study habits that they have health and nutritious meals and also the way you look at it is, you start kids healthy now, for example it saves on healthcare cost," said Zack Wilson, Executive Director of the High Plains Food Bank.

Wilson said they are feeding over 700,000 people monthly and right now their shelves are bare and need your help. You can contact the High Plains Food Bank by clicking on their name for information on how you can donate.