Great economy?

Everyday we hear the economy is in great shape and roaring ahead. If that is the case, why do we have so many Nebraska and nationwide students on free or reduced lunch prices, and how come there is such a widespread increase in homelessness and hunger in the U.S., or don't those people count? I know that most of them don't buy stocks or bonds. The above were from articles in the Gazette, Dec. 13 and 19.