There is more than enough food to feed everyone in the United States. The supermarket store shelves are stocked to the ceiling but it doesn't matter if families have no money in their pockets.

Right here in mid-Missouri, poverty spoils every meal and robs families, especially children, a chance at lifelong health. Everyone is experiencing higher food prices and it's probably cutting into your monthly budget.

But what if you're one of the many families who cycle in and out of poverty?

Families most at risk are those just a little better off than poor that survive on low-wage jobs until, suddenly, they lose their financial footing and literally their ability to feed their families.

"Once the cycle of moderate to severe malnutrition begins, particularly if it begins at an early age, it's difficult for that person to overcome that," said Dr. Lynn Keplinger, an internal medicine physician. "That leads to cognitive disorders, that leads to social disorders. Most of those people are destined to never succeed in life."

And the manager of the nation's largest food bank told Congress it's not just feeding the poor.

"We're seeing many more people from traditionally higher income families seeking food assistance," said George Braley, the Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy for America's Second Harvest Food Bank.

Just since March of last year, pasta, beans and bread prices are up 12 to 17 percent. Milk prices are up nearly 20 percent. And prices of flour and eggs are up almost 30 percent.

The sad facts are two-thirds of all children growing up in poverty have one or more working parents, and one-third have a parent working full-time, year round. Despite Mom and Dad's best efforts, hunger takes its toll.

"They don't do as well, they don't concentrate as well," Keplinger said. "How could you when you're feeling hungry all of the time?"

The government predicts food prices may go up another five percent this year. Congress is considering a farm bill including aid for food banks, which are currently overwhelmed trying to feed more people with food that costs more.