It’s the 21st Century, we live in one of the most fortunate countries in the world, yet are you aware that the estimated annual burden to the United States concerning hunger and food insecurity is a minimum of $90 million per year?!
You may find it difficult to imagine the personal cost of hunger to a child, let alone a family who cannot afford to feed their child(ren), however according to the Department of Agriculture, there are an estimated 12 ½ million children who live in households where having (or getting enough) food is an uncertainty.
Ending hunger in our nation would be less expensive than the cautious figure of $90m if the Government would strengthen existing Federal nutrition programs.
Millions of Americans suffered from severe malnutrition, bordering on starvation, little more than 30 years ago. Thankfully, this tragedy was reduced, though, the reality of the situation, in 2007, is that there are more than 35 million people who are forced to choose on a daily basis between paying their rent; mortgage or car note; health insurance, or simply buying food!
Growing children require increased nutritional needs. A child’s appetite can exert pressure on a household budget that is already stressed, and over-extended. Inadequate nutrition leads to an impaired education, along with mental and physical illnesses.
The concern for children going hungry has led to a number of food bank programs quietly sweeping across the U.S. Operated predominantly through schools, needy children, and their families, do not need to go without food over the weekends. Every Friday, the children are given a backpack filled with approximately six, healthy meals. On Monday, the backpacks are returned to school, and refilled.
Hunger and food insecurity SHOULD NOT be a problem in this time of plenty. If not for the funding from private companies, individuals, churches, and civic groups, that help to provide food packs for these children, and their families, no doubt there would be larger numbers suffering from this preventable fate.
There but for the grace of God, go I…………………………………
“Your” Money Matters by Carl Hampton From the Author of “From Credit Despair To Credit Millionaire.
Source: A Little Help Goes A Long Way
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