. >> you just heard martha galvez of the urban institute say the number of teens experiencing hunger is staggering. >> in a newly released study, the urban institute says at least 6.8 million young people between 10 and 17 are living in households where food is scarce house here in washington, d-c -- a place that provides meals, a food pantry, and wrap around services to young people in need. 25 year old jamal, and 22 year old marquis, are two young adults who've received their help. >> at covenant house, jamal and marquis share more than a meal. in a sense, they share a history. both came from families living on the edge, when the death of a parent pushed them into turmoil. >> my mom wasn't able to deal with the fact of my fathers that. so she tuned out. so that's how hunger stepped on my doorstep. >> once or twice a week we had something to eat, once or twice a week, we had nothing to eat. >> just 17 at the time, jamal remembers becoming the protector for his younger siblings. >> pretty much the picture was just us trying to survive. the kids trying to survive. we went to a couple