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.
Programs for students
You may know that some kids in your school get free lunches. Other kids may eat breakfast at school or take home a backpack full of food at the end of the week. These kinds of programs are helping children get the nutrition they need to do better in school and stay healthy.
Practice empathy
Some kids will feel sensitive or embarrassed about taking part in food programs. It’s really important for them to be able to participate without being made fun of or bullied. Do you know what empathy is? Empathy is the ability to imagine how someone else feels. If you know or see students who are getting help at school with food, there’s no need to call attention to how they pay for lunch or where they eat breakfast. Instead, offer them a seat at your table and include them at recess. Don’t let food insecurity make any kid an outsider.