Brienne Jackson Arkansas State University Child Hunger Brienne Jackson Arkansas State University

What is hunger/food insecurity? Hunger is a feeling that can be different for everyone, but food insecurity actually measures the conditions that can lead to hunger. Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is one way we can measure and assess the risk of hunger. In the United States currently, 1 in 8 people struggle with hunger.

Why are children hungry? 1 in 6 children faces hunger in America. 1 in 4 children around the world suffers from chronic malnutrition that stunts growth. The biggest reason kids are hungry, both in the U.S. and around the world, is poverty. Poverty often means children not only don’t have enough to eat, they don’t have access to clean water, health care or education. They face hunger, disease and even death.

What happens when a child faces hunger? Kids who don’t get enough to eat — especially during their first three years — begin life at a serious disadvantage. When they’re hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized and they face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up, kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.

Children facing hunger may struggle in school – and beyond Children facing hunger may struggle in school – and beyond. They are more likely to: Repeat a grade in elementary school. Experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills. Have more social and behavioral problems

Children struggling with hunger come from families who are struggling, too. A family of four facing hunger may be in need of 34 additional meals a month simply because they don’t have money to buy enough food. 84% of households Feeding America serves report buying the cheapest food — instead of healthy food — in order to provide enough to eat. 20% of children in households at risk of hunger may be forced to rely exclusively on charitable organizations like Feeding America to make ends meet.

What causes food insecurity? One "bad month" can be enough to plunge a household into food insecurity. Lay-offs at work, unexpected car maintenance or an accident on the job can suddenly force a family to choose between buying food and paying bills. Working families across America face countless situations that can result in food insecurity and hunger. More than 13 million children in the United States live in “food insecure” homes, according to recent research from the USDA.

Food Programs in the United States One of the most effective way to help families and children is through federal nutrition programs. School Breakfast Summer Meals - 5 out of 6 kids who rely on free or reduced-price school meals aren’t getting free meals in the summer. Afterschool Meals Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - provides low-income families with money to purchase food -20 million children in the United States rely on SNAP benefits. 45 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to buy food each month, according to the USDA. Two-thirds of these benefits go to households with children.

How can we help? Donate. There are many great organizations that have one common goal – to end hunger. Volunteer. Give your time by volunteering in your community to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. Advocate. Speak up for those without a voice. Contact elected officials and urge them to take a stand for the children. Tell. Raise awareness about this major issue by sharing with others.

Feeding America: Ending Child Hunger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWNf5XV1s-0

Let’s put an end to child hunger. Let’s put an end to child hunger by getting involved through an organization and advocating for children. Feeding America Feed the Children Feed My Starving Children No Kid Hungry

References http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/child-hunger- facts.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/ http://www.feedthechildren.org/why/ https://www.fmsc.org/en https://www.nokidhungry.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWNf5XV1s-0