The percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches is often used as a   measure of children's economic well-being. Higher percentages mean more children live in   low-income families, and vice versa. (Northwest Area Foundation Indicator Website)

  It is valuable in the assessment of a community's well being to look at the number of   people struggling day-to-day for their survival, with such issues as food and housing   insecurity and transportation barriers that limit self care and employment options. People   focusing on survival tend not to be contributing members of the community, which is a   great loss of human capital.