From Newsvine and the A.P:

Since 1999, the number of people struggling with hunger has risen from 31 million to 38 million in 2004. The Agriculture Department report has generally been released in October, a month after annual poverty figures are released by the Census Department.

Democrats said the delay appears political. Competitive elections across the country will decide next Tuesday whether President Bush’s party keeps control of Congress.

Ugh. This is horrible, and right before this weekend’s Hunger Walk here in Louisville.