The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Hunger at School
Think back to what you had for breakfast this morning. How about dinner last night? Did you get enough to eat? Was it healthy food to fuel your body?
For about 13 million kids in the United States, the answers to those questions aren’t good. An organization called Feeding America has designated September as Hunger Action
Month. The Mini Page worked with Feeding America to find out more about the problem of hunger.
What is food insecurity?
A home that is food insecure is one where adults and children don’t have consistent, or regular, access to enough food. These homes are in every state and every community, but some states have more people who are food insecure.
In some families, there isn’t money to buy enough food. Parents may be able to purchase plenty of food, but they can’t afford or can’t find healthier options, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Unfortunately, these foods cost more than frozen, canned or processed foods such as hot dogs or chicken fingers.
What does hunger do?
Food is fuel. The food we eat is changed into energy that our bodies use to think, move and grow.
Good nutrition is especially important during childhood, experts say. Kids who don’t get healthy foods may be sick more and develop conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. They also may struggle in school and have learning problems. And hungry kids may have a harder time getting along with other children and teachers.
Helping hungry families
The U.S. government helps some families with money to buy food. Other people make more money and can’t participate in these programs, but they still are food insecure because they live in an area where food is very expensive, or they have a larger family to feed.
Groups such as Feeding America, along with churches and other charitable organizations, help provide supplies through food pantries and
food banks. These are places where people can go to get free or low-cost groceries to help nourish their family when they don’t have enough money.