The Great Depression had a huge effect on the everyday lives of many Americans. Here are some of the main ways it changed things:

Unemployment

• By 1933, about 25% of people were out of work. This meant around 13 million Americans couldn't find jobs.
• Because so many people lost their jobs, families had much less money to spend on food, clothing, and other basic needs.

Poverty and Homelessness

• Many more people fell into poverty. The Department of Labor said that over 40% of Americans were living below the poverty line during the toughest times of the Depression.
• Families without homes built makeshift shelters called "Hoovervilles." By 1932, there were hundreds of these areas across the country.

Food Insecurity

• Food prices went down because fewer people were buying food. But even with lower prices, many families still couldn't afford to buy enough to eat. About 25% of homes faced constant hunger.
• Soup kitchens, which are places that give free meals, popped up everywhere. They helped millions of people. For example, in New York City, one soup kitchen served about 1 million meals in just one year.

Education

• To help their families, many kids had to leave school and go to work. High school enrollment dropped by 25% during the worst parts of the Depression.
• Schools faced budget cuts, which meant shorter days and fewer teachers. This hurt the quality of education for many students.

Health and Wellbeing

• The worry and stress from not having enough money took a toll on people's mental health. Reports showed that the number of suicides went up, with some estimates suggesting a 20% increase during the early years of the Great Depression.

In conclusion, the Great Depression caused serious financial struggles for many people. It changed the daily lives of millions of Americans and made it clear that the government needed to step in to help.