The Changing Face of Hunger: Kia's story

PHILADELPHIA -- Hunger is a harsh reality for many families nationwide but the Delaware Valley is particularly hard hit with 1 in 4 Philadelphians living below the poverty line. Kia Rutling, a single mom from South Philadelphia is one of them.

As a teenager, Kia Rutling dropped out of high school to get a job and help her parents make ends meet. As an adult now, with two children of her own, life hasn't gotten much easier.

Kia admits, "I've been a struggling mom for many a years, you know... You're sitting there watching your child starving, there's nothing you can do about it."

Kia wants a better life and hopes to get her GED so she can better provide for her kids. In the meantime, she turned to the non-profit Turning Points for Children for help.

"I have to go out here and ask somebody to feed my family. That's very embarrassing," she said.

We asked Kia how she gets over the embarrassment in asking for help. She said, "Like they say, closed mouths don't get fed. So if you don't go out there and look for it you're not gonna get it."

Turning Points helps more than 6,000 families in need every year, with everything from food to financial counseling.

And while Kia gets helps from the organization, she also gives back by donating her time three days a week to help others in need.

If you'd like to help families in need this holiday season, visit the 6abc/Dunkin Donuts Holiday Food Drive page to see the many ways that you can connect, share, and give.

This weekend the Boy Scouts will be dropping off bags in hopes that YOU will fill them with canned goods and non-perishable foods. The Scouts will come back around the following weekend to pick up donations.