The Reality of Childhood Hunger
When our older kids were younger they went to public school. We were at a lower income school, they call this Title 1 in Texas. Over 70% of the students were on free or reduced breakfast and lunch.
I remember the day I realized that for some of these kiddos, the two free meals they received at the school each day (breakfast and lunch) were the only two meals they were going to eat each day. It broke my heart and it was hard to not think about those kids all the time.
In fact, it was such an epidemic that organizations in the area created “weekend care packages” for some of the students. These packaged included food items that were not perishable and could be cooked easily in the microwave, for example. Without these offerings, there were students who would go the weekend without much to each.
Nutrition is a central component of everyday operation. Providing food for energy and thought is the way we get our kids up and going. Good nutrition is critical. Food is life. Food is survival. But have you thought about the many families struggling these days to provide excellent nutrition to their children? Food insecurity leaves children without the essentials to thrive.
Childhood hunger is something that exists right in our own backyard. There are so many children affected by the hunger issues in America. When you are thinking of children starving you may envision a tiny, frail, skeletal frame. The truth is hunger is America does not always appear that way. The struggle to provide adequate food for kids may represent an empty pantry with nothing for breakfast or dinner. Stability is lacking and food is just not as easy to come by for some. Childhood hunger exists at every turn and probably with people you see everyday.
Childhood hunger in America is heartbreaking. 3 out of 5 kids in grades kindergarten through 8th grade come to school hungry. Childhood hunger in America is such an issue that nearly 10 million children, which is only half of children who are eligible, do not receive free or reduced school breakfast.
Hunger Is is a campaign being promoted by Albertson’s Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to bring awareness to childhood hunger. By working together the two are influencing breakfast programs so that children have a healthy start to their day. This campaign is going on throughout the month of September. The more help and outreach there is within your community, the bigger the difference this campaign can be! Being a part of a healthy outcome for children and their families is so wonderful in this initiative.
There are two ways you can help with this cause:
1. Donate at the register during checkout.
2. While you shop look for participating items to purchase to donate to the cause. These items give a minimum of $0.10 in donations for each item purchased. These are items that are already in your basket!
These are two small ways you can help give back to children in your community. Help make breakfast happen for children in your community so that they may be hungry for more learning and have happier tummies!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Companies & Hunger Is. The opinions and text are all mine.