by
Carl Hampton
10/12/2007
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 ˝ 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…………………………………
