Hunger sometimes feels like an issue that primarily concerns countries where food and clean water are scarce. It doesn’t make sense that nations like America, where the citizens constantly battle obesity and heart disease, would suffer from hunger. In reality, as many as one in six Americans don’t know where their next meal is coming from, or if they will even get to eat. Food banks and subsidized food programs make it possible for people suffering from poverty and hunger to get a meal when they need it.
Nineteen percent of American children live in poverty. In 2009, 19.5 million low-income children received free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program. Studies show that even mild under-nutrition in children during critical periods of growth negatively impact behavior, school performance, and cognitive development. Children that don’t receive proper nutrition are more likely to experience irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and aggression. They are also more likely to have to repeat a grade due to their behavior and generally have a harder time communicating than children who receive proper nutrition.
Each year, food banks provide meals to more than 37 million Americans. American food banks rely on donations of time, food, and money to help those in need. Even a small donation can make a big difference to a hungry person. For example, a monetary donation of just twenty-five dollars can provide 175 meals to hungry people across the nation. Getting involved is easy. Visit feedingamerica.org or search online for food banks in your area. Ask them what items are most needed and what you can do to make a difference. America produces more than enough resources to keep everyone fed. Help PMI make hunger in a thing of the past by joining our food drive or hosting one of your own.
[...] with the opportunity to support needy families in their local community directly, and they provide those in need with the opportunity to get help in a dignified way. As we move into cooler holiday months – a [...]
[...] donation that directly affects the people around them. Those in need are in turn able to get the food they need to survive, allowing them to focus on improving their situation and spending time with their family [...]