that picture certainly looks staged even though stuff like that did happen i think most parents would of gave their kids to a wealthy family so they would have a better life and not to make a few quid. I would take a chance and give my kids away rather than watch them starve to death with me In that situation. There was some harrowing stuff happened in the dust bowl.1930,s depression.
https://iloveoldphotos.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/children-for-sale-chicago-1948/
Have a read mate
thats a different family and younger in picture in the link marshman but if you look at the letter N in the sign