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Fighting Hunger in America

Writers:

Kathleen King

Kelle Creecy White

Elizabeth Dimond

Editor: Susan Ruske

Published for COMM 352

April 4, 2015

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CONTENTS

Fighting Hunger in America

INTRODUCTION 4

Hunger has always been a problem in America, ever since settling this land began. Over

6.4 million households skip meals or eat much less to make ends meet. School children

miss school and suffer scholastically. Pregnancies become high risk due to lack of food.

Homebound seniors suffer from nutrition and isolation. Mental health problems result

from lack of food for the homeless.

HISTORY OF HUNGER 5

Timeline of the history of hunger is given. Beginning with Colonial America on to the

present day. The ups and downs of our countries hopes and dreams of freedom from poverty.

CONSEQUENCES 7

Hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Here we look at all of the faces of hunger in America.

FAR REACHING AFFECTS 8

Food insecurity is the government way to measure those who lack access to food and the

funds to purchase it. One in every six Americans suffers from hunger.

SOLUTION 1 – WOMEN, INFANTS & SMALL CHILDREN 9

WIC, Action against Hunger & the National Coalition for the Homeless offers our first solution.

SOLUTION 2 - SCHOOL CHILDREN 14

National School Day, Lunch, and Snack programs offer solutions. Summer food service and

Blessings in a Backpack cover the rest of the time for school aged children.

SOLUTION 3 – SENIORS, HOMELESS & THE POOR 17

National Food Banks play a major role in supplying local food banks and pantries.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 20

A list of additional websites to help you locate resources on the web.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 23

A list of citations we used to compile our issue booklet on hunger.

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INTRODUCTION

Hunger has always been a problem in America, ever since settling this land began. Over 6.4 million

households skip meals or eat much less to make ends meet.(4) 1 in 6 School children miss school and suffer

scholastically. (9) Pregnancies become high risk due to lack of food. Homebound seniors suffer from nutrition

and isolation. Mental health problems result from lack of food for the homeless.

The Star Spangled Banner, our nation’s national anthem, talks about “The home of the brave

and land of the free”. Is America as wonderful as it boosts? How could a country so rich have so many poor

among them? Incomes may vary due to job skills and years of experience. But hunger in America? We spend

millions to help third world countries with their hunger. Are we blind to the needs of our own problem here at

home?

Look at our solutions inside this Issue Booklet. We examine the history of

American hunger, the consequences and far reaching effects. Our solutions section offers not only solutions,

but advantages, disadvantages and interviews. We offer valuable resources and websites for your reference.

Hunger in America is due to poverty, not due to our lack of available food. This

problem is so widespread that it affects pregnant women and their unborn children, infants, young children,

school aged children, our elderly and the homeless. Like other countries in the world, America is hurting from

improper nutrition. Isn’t it about time we take care of our own? This booklet will show you how.

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HISTORY OF AMERICAN HUNGER

Taking

Care

Of

Our

Own

The American Dream, immigrants flocked to the United States for opportunities they could not

receive in their own country. High hopes of economic employment would free them from the bonds of poverty

forever. They would have freedom – freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and many have found those

freedoms here in America.

Early settlers to the United States (16th and early 17th century) faced hunger for various reasons; lack of access

to water, dry seasons, poor hunting prospects, and conflicts with the Native Americans which they depended on

for food trade. These reasons led to many deaths of the settlers. Some settlers were saved from starvation by the

supply of food through the intercession of Pocahontas. (1)

Colonists soon adapted to the new world and by 1776 hunger was considerably less severe than in Western

Europe and the average life expectancy of American Colonists was 51 years, well above that of Britain’s 37 and

33 for France. (1)

The 18th and early 19th century saw relatively low hunger in the US due to low population in relation to fertile

land and a shortage of labor allowing all able bodied people with employment. With the social and economic

changes in the early 19th century, prosperity was high but fertile land was hard to come by and was often only

available to those who could pay substantial amounts for it. Small farmers were forced off their land by economic

pressure and found themselves homeless. Some municipalities began to give small sums of cash to the poor. By

1850 the life expectancy had dropped to 43 years. (1)

Industrialization increased the number of homeless and hungry in the US. The economic developments

had a negative impact on the poorest citizens as many influential Americans believed in classical liberalism and

opposed government intervention for fear of encouraging dependency and disruption of the free market. In the

late 1870’s, private efforts to help the hungry began to aid the poor and soup kitchens were established once the

practice of handing out small sums of money to the poor was lobbied against and stopped. (1)

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HISTORY OF AMERICAN HUNGER

The early 20th century proved to be encouraging in that the economic conditions were helping to reduce hunger

for even the poorest members of society. Agricultural productivity helped to reduce food prices. The Great

depression of the 1930’s reversed the decrease in domestic hunger and was addressed by society and the federal

government.

The New Deal launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt sponsored government intervention to the

crisis. Wages were raised, unemployment was reduced, and the poor were provided with food through government

created agencies. By the late 1940’s the relief efforts along with improved economic conditions substantially

reduced hunger in the United States. According to sociology professor Janet Poppendieck, hunger in the US was

considered to be a solved problem until the 1960’s. (1)

By the mid 60’s, several states ended their free distribution of surplus food and provided food stamps, which had

a minimum charge. Some could not afford the stamps. In response to the rediscovery of hunger, society supported

private sector soup kitchens and meal centers. The first food bank was invented in 1967 by John van Hengel. In

1969 President Nixon called Congress to action to end hunger. Federal relief grew by 500% with food stamps

being distributed for free to the neediest. In the early 80’s, President Reagan’s administration scaled back welfare

provisions, causing a rise in hunger relief agencies. Food banks have become an accepted part of America’s

hunger relief. Demand continued in the late 90’s with President Clinton’s Personal Responsibility and Work

Opportunity Act which ended welfare as we know it. (1)

The 21st century began with high levels of hunger due to inequality and less spending on welfare and was made

worse by global inflation of the price of food that began in 2006. By 2012, 50 million Americans were food

insecure of which 16.7 million are children (Raphel, Sally 2014). Principle causes of food insecurity in the US

are unemployment, high housing costs, low wages, poverty, lack of access to SNAP, and medical and health care

costs (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2011).

Fast forward to today. Americans are still hungry. The recent economic recession which led to

high unemployment plays a large role in the problem of hunger. Due to the lack of resources, many people in

need are being turned away. Increase in demand and a decrease in resources are the biggest challenges to cities.

37% of those requesting emergency food assistance are employed.

19% of people needing emergency food assistance did not receive it across all surveyed cities.

The number of families experiencing homelessness across all surveyed cities increased by an average of

8%.

Emergency shelters in 64% of surveyed cities must turn away homeless families with children due to

lack of beds. (2)

People who did not lose their jobs had their pay cut and hours decreased which is not reflected in the national

unemployment data. Single mothers are seriously affected. How could they afford all of the rising expenses

on one income? The increase in hunger is much larger than the most pessimistic observers of hunger trends

have observed. Hunger is the most important of our nation’s issues.

In 1946, after learning about the number of recruits turned away from the

military during WWII because of malnutrition, President Harry S. Truman

signed the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, which created the

National School Lunch Program. Truman wrote that it was “a measure of

national security, to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s

children.” (3)

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CONSEQUENCES OF AMERICAN HUNGER

FOOD INSECURITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS WE MAKE.

Sally Raphel

General Consequences of hunger are irritability, anxiety, anger and depression. Americans have

abnormal eating habits, like continually grazing food for hours. Showing physical symptoms such as

gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, headaches, sensitivity to noise, light and cold, reduced strength and poor

motor control. Cognitive changes happened such as lack of concentration, reduced alertness, reduced

comprehension and poor judgment. Last year, 6.4 million households missed meals multiple times and ate much

less than they were used to due to lack of food. (4)

For Pregnancy & Infants, poor outcomes have been associated with food insecurities, including

gestational diabetes, low birth weights and a higher risk of premature births. Maternal depression occurred

more often than 2 ½ times more likely in food insecure households. Food Insecurities also have negative

consequences for the child, including increased risk of certain birth defects, such as cleft palate, spinal bifida

and anencephaly. (5)

School Aged Children are likely to be hospitalized 30% more often because of food insecurities

and extra vulnerability from childhood illnesses. Preschoolers frequent more colds. Kindergarteners are prone

to emotional and behavior problems. Missing meals caused developmental delays and health issue like stomach

aches and headaches occur more frequently. Hungry children have lower math scores, come to school late or

miss the day and are more likely to repeat a grade. (6)

Senior Citizens develop weakness, poor balance and lack of energy. Health symptoms are diabetes,

dementia, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and vision loss. Developing depression

takes an emotional toll on seniors. Homebound seniors are unable to get groceries, lack social interaction with

others which lead to isolation, anger and increased depression. (7)

3 Million Senior Citizens do not have enough food each year.

Nearly 29% of households with seniors served by Feeding America indicated they had to choose

between food and medical care.

31% indicated they had to choose between food and heat or utilities.

Homeless citizens who do not have enough food develop physical, mental and emotional health

consequences that lead to further health concerns and even death. Homeless people do not have the resources

or transportation to find local food pantries, soup kitchens nor to find local assistance programs. (8)

You can’t build a

peaceful world on

empty stomachs

and human misery.

Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug

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FAR REACHING AFFECTS

”Food insecurity” refers to USDA's measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for all

household members. 1 in

6 people in America live

with hunger. The average

food-secure household

spent 30 percent more

than a household that was

more insecure of the same

size and composition.

Rates of food insecurity

were substantially higher

than the national average

for households with

incomes near or below the

poverty line. Six years

after the onset of the

financial and economic

crisis, hunger is still high

in the U.S. With the

downturn in 2008, it was

trickling more ever since. (9)

Hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Children who have mothers who lack proper

nourishment are at risk and begin to have a depressive state of mind. This causes a rippling effect for everyone

in the household. When the mother cannot function properly it affects a child’s cognitive development. Child

hunger leaves lasting effects on their physical and emotional wellbeing. The causes of hunger itself often have

preventative factors in reducing hunger.

Hunger in America is not caused by the lack of food, but from the prevalence of poverty. Food has become

elastic and when the choice between paying the bills and putting food on the table comes around, food is too

often losing the battle.

The New Face of Hunger from the National Geographic Magazine shows: (10)

Millions of working Americans don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

One-sixth of Americans don’t have enough food to eat.

Osage, Iowa has rich land where farmers grow crops and livestock, make their own oil, and produce

sweeteners. Yet 1 in 8 Iowans often goes hungry, with children the most profoundly affected.

Houston, Texas has a strong economy, ringed with neighborhoods where many working families can’t

afford groceries. Hunger has grown faster in America’s suburbs than in cities over the past decade,

creating a class of “SUV poor.”

Bronx, New York. Urban neighborhoods with persuasive unemployment and poverty are home to the

hungriest. The South Bronx has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country, with 37% compared

with 16.6 for New York City.

Across income brackets, processed foods make up a large part of the American diet.

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SOLUTION 1

Hunger and pregnant women + unborn babies

WIC programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/about-wic-wic-glance

Key Components

The WIC program offers benefits that are provided to all WIC participants: Supplemental nutritious foods,

Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics, along with screening and referrals to other health, welfare

and social services.

This program will help more women who would otherwise feel like they cannot provide the proper health for

themselves. Children born to mothers who go hungry during early pregnancy are at increased risk of heart

disease as adults. Mothers who starved during the first critical weeks/months of pregnancy, were three times as

likely to have heart disease as those who did not starve. These are adverse critical moments during pregnancy

and the fetal environment needs to be healthy in order to contribute to more healthy children/adults later on in

life. Pregnant women are more likely increasing their chances to negatively affect the generations to come

which is a risk that should not be taken.

Action against Hunger http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/impact/nutrition?gclid=COa-_N2opMQCFS8V7Aod1lcASg

Key Components

Action against Hunger offers help to pregnant women who need to understand the nutritional health, which as a

result, affects their unborn child. While some do understand this, there are others that do not because of a lack

of education, and many do not know where to go for help with this matter, thinking that they are on their own.

Preventive measures can assist, but more women need to become aware of the related problems hunger causes

in order to understand what is at stake by doing nothing about nutrition, only to receive assistance.

The goal of this program is to improve the lives of millions of people, which can ultimately help to make the

world a better place. They aim to assess the root causes of a malnutrition outbreak (pregnancy related health as

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SOLUTION 1

well) by collecting certain data on key nutritional indicators. For example: local capacities and resources,

cultural practices, infrastructure, and geography. The nutrition surveys are essential for mounting an effective,

customized action plan for effective preventive factors.

The demographics help to determine the important factors that need to be taking place in order to help more

women receive the proper care. Hunger needs to be one of the top priorities and not the last. The Action Against

Hunger is one way to relieve more hunger and offer plans to individually help more overcome hunger.

The Hunger Project firmly believes that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to

achieving the end of hunger and poverty. Wherever they work, their program is aimed to support women and

build their capacity. This means they can achieve more by having preventive factors that help sustain their

futures.

The Hunger Project is working directly with women. 60 percent of the world’s hungry are women. 50 percent

of pregnant women lack proper maternal care, resulting in 240,000 maternal deaths annually from childbirth. 1

out of 6 infants are born with a low birth weight.

Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children each year. That is

8,500 children per day.

http://thp.org/knowledge-center/know-your-world-facts-about-hunger-poverty/

Women are the world’s primary food producers, yet cultural traditions and social structures often mean women

are much more affected by hunger and poverty than men. A mother who is stunted and even underweight due to

an inadequate diet often gives birth to low birthweight children. As a result, women and in particular expectant

and nursing mothers, often need special or an increased intake of food. Starvation/hunger is not the answer.

These are critical times for the mothers and babies, which call for critical measures. Annually, this problem has

only continued to grow as more women are struggling with trying to make ends meet with the poor living

circumstances – this equals more women who are going hungry even while pregnant.

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SOLUTION 1

The National Coalition for the Homeless

Source: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/hunger.html

Key Components

The National Coalition for the Homeless is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who

have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers,

and others committed to prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those

experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights.

Tackling the problem of homelessness can potentially help with more preventive measures for women who are

also pregnant. Demographically there are more women who are experiencing hunger but also in a great deal of

poverty as well. Some do not know what to do when found in these circumstances, but this program can help

more households with children and are struggling with food insecurity as a result.

“According to the USDA Economic Research Service, in our country, the most likely family to go hungry

consists of a single Hispanic mother with children living in a major southern city.”

“Almost 14% of households experiencing food insecurity consist of a married couple with children, but 35.1%

of households consist of a single woman with children, and 25.4% of households with a single father and

children experience food insecurity.”

(United States. USDA. Economic Research Service. Household Food Security in the United States in 2010. By

Alisha Coleman-Jensen, Mark Nord, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. 2010.)

“Families and individuals that experience food insecurity also often experience a sense of alienation from

society. This stems from the lack of control over how they feed themselves and their family, and their reliance

upon the charity of others. Only those who have run out of options obtain food from emergency sources as a last

resort. This forced giver-receiver relationship alienates the hungry from the rest of society, and makes them feel

shame and distress about their food insecurity.”

(Home - Poverty, Hunger & Homelessness - LibGuides at Indiana State University. Home - LibGuides at

Indiana State University. 2011. http://libguides.indstate.edu/content.php?pid=158454&sid=1341187)

Strengths and Weaknesses

Advantages: Overall it is beneficial to be able to help more women, as they are often times overlooked within the

government. It is critical that they receive aid and relief during all stages of life even during pregnancy.

Helping women shows women that they can empower those around them from being educated on the topic in

order to learn preventive factors to properly help themselves, instead of feeling hopeless. Hope is offered to

more women and children that are in need.

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SOLUTION 1

There are so many individual women who are lacking proper knowledge, these federal funding programs help

educate and empower more women to make positive changes in their life.

Disadvantages: It is hard to try and help every single group of people; there could be other areas that are more important which

the government needs to focus on.

By specifically helping one group of individuals – those who are not “women” or “pregnant” or going to think it

is unfair for them to get help when so many others are in need as well. This could cause riots and more to be

upset instead of being able to see the good in all things.

Not all women can have the protection and rights that they are deserving of. This is sometimes difficult to see

changes being enforced within the government programs. It can’t be guaranteed to help all groups of women.

Call to Action:

Now is the time for all individuals to stand up and learn about preventive factors that can help resolve hunger

for women and their children.

What can be done?

We need to make a concerted effort to fight hunger. Governments, UN Agencies, Non-Governmental

Organizations and especially individuals need to take action. But in order for this to happen, we need to start

talking about hunger, and then spreading the word by all means available. Out of all topics affecting hunger the

most important one is about what you can do. We all have the power to make a difference and it starts with one

simple step – taking action!

There are almost 1 billion people on the planet affected by hunger – and yet we don’t talk about it. In contrast,

there are around 1.6 billion active Internet users in the world – if you are reading this, you’re one of them.

Online Action:

Spreading the word about hunger has never been easier – Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and the internet in

general mean that we have more means than ever before to access information, and to communicate.

Try these links to find out more about what YOU can do to help:

Get Involved: WFP has a growing community of thousands of individuals around the world who are fighting

hunger.

A Billion for a Billion: This link is a thriving online community of tech-savvy individuals using the power of

technology in order to connect and make a difference!

How can we reduce hunger?

Since the core of the problem is not a global food shortage and simply giving people food can only be a short-

term emergency solution, reducing hunger demands a two-strand approach to tackle its causes and

consequences. These two approaches can be effective:

First, raise the incomes of the poor by helping them to earn a better livelihood so they can afford to buy food;

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SOLUTION 1

Second, provide immediate and direct access to food for those families most in need.

“I call on the international community at the highest level ... to adopt the target of halving the proportion of

people living in extreme poverty, and so lifting more than 1 billion people out of it, by 2015.”

- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, cited in The Millennium Report

Confronting this hunger and poverty issue is definitely a challenge but it affects almost a billion people.

Meeting the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number living in poverty by 2015 is a call to action

that we the people need to become more aware of especially within our communities. Although the number of

people affected is almost mind-boggling, progress is being made on several different fronts. One example of

this is the Special Program for Food Security which is fully supported wide-spread. Our action needs to start

now, there is a way to make a difference, and all it takes is one person.

Interview with Jennifer Maleecki:

Jennifer is an agent of WIC.

“The WIC program offers a safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who

are at nutrition risk. WIC serves pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women (up to 6 months

after the birth), infants (up to their 1st birthday) and children up to their 5th birthday.

WIC was established as a pilot program back in 1972, but was made permanent in 1974. WIC is formerly

known as the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, then WIC's name was

changed under the healthy meals for healthy Americans Act of 1994, in order to emphasize its role as a nutrition

program.

Vouchers are presented on a monthly basis which you take to your local grocery store and there are two types,

one for fresh produce, and a second that offers eggs, milk, bread, peanut butter, whole grains, cereal, cheese,

dried beans, and a variety of others that allow families to learn how to have healthy eating habits. Pregnant

women get food on their vouchers which vary slightly and once the woman has her baby she no longer gets

food but food checks are offered along with specific food for the baby (formula, rice cereal, or baby food).

These services help families who struggle with low poverty backgrounds to have the means to still provide for

their families.

Benefits to women by improving the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants.

A 1990 study showed that women who participated in the program during their pregnancies had lower Medicaid

costs for themselves and their babies than did women who did not participate. WIC participation was also

linked with longer gestation periods, higher birth weights and lower infant mortality.

Two major types of nutritional risks are recognized for WIC eligibility. The first is medically-based risks such

as anemia, underweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes. The second would

be dietary risks, like inappropriate nutritional feeding practices or failure to meet the current dietary guidelines

for Americans. “

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SOLUTION 2

Federal School Nutrition Programs

Solution 2: National School Lunch Program Source: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

Key Components

Federally assisted meal program operating in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential

child-care institutions. Nearly half of all people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP or food stamps) are kids. Provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 31

million children each school day in 2012. School lunches must meet standards based on the latest Dietary

Guidelines for Americans. The current meal pattern increases the availability of fruits, vegetables and whole

grains in the school menu. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are

eligible for free meals.

Michelle Obama: “Everywhere I go, fortunately, I meet parents who are working very hard to make

sure that their kids are healthy. They’re doing things like cutting down on desserts and trying to increase fruits

and vegetables. They’re trying to teach their kids the kind of healthy habits that will stay with them for a

lifetime. But when our kids spend so much of their time each day in school, and when many children get up to

half their daily calories from school meals, it’s clear that we as a nation have a responsibility to meet as well.

We can’t just leave it up to the parents. I think that parents have a right to expect that their efforts at home

won’t be undone each day in the school cafeteria or in the vending machine in the hallway. I think that our

parents have a right to expect that their kids will be served fresh, healthy food that meets high nutritional

standards.” (http://cnsnews.com/news/article/michelle-obama-deciding-what-kids-eat-we-can-t-just-leave-it-

parents)

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SOLUTION 2

Solution 2: School Breakfast Program Source: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SBPfactsheet.pdf

Key Component

The School Breakfast Program operates in the same way as the National School Lunch Program.

Meal plans include more whole grains, zero trans-fats, more fruits and reduced sodium.

Only half of the low-income students who rely on a free or reduced price lunch at school take advantage of the

School Breakfast Program. In Fiscal Year 2012, 12.9 million children participated in the Program, with 10.1

million receiving at free or reduced cost. In Fiscal Year 2012, cost of the School Breakfast Program was $3.3

billion.

Solution 2: After School Snack Program In order for a site to participate, a school district must run the National School Lunch Program and sponsor or

operate an afterschool care program which must provide children with regularly scheduled educational or

enrichment activities in a supervised environment.

Afterschool snacks must contain at least two different components of the following four: a serving of fluid milk;

a serving of meat or meat alternate; a serving of vegetables or fruits or full strength vegetable or fruit juice; a

serving of whole grain or enriched bread or cereal.

Solution 2: Summer Food Service Program Source: http://frac.org/pdf/sfsp_fact_sheet.pdf

Key Component

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program. The SFSP

reimburses providers who serve healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas at no charge primarily

during the summer months when school is not in session.

State agencies administer the program and communicate with the USDA.

Sponsors run the programs and communicate with the State agency. Schools, local government agencies,

camps, faith-based and other non-profit community organizations that have the ability to manage a food service

program may be SFSP sponsors.

Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may

be in schools, parks, community centers, churches and migrant centers. Sites work directly with sponsors.

Blessings In a Backpack (Not a Federal Program) Source: https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/donate.aspx

Key Component

Blessings in a Backpack (Non-Profit Organization)

While the Federal School Nutrition Programs are the “first line of defense” for preventing and solving the issue

of hunger among school age children during the school week, a gap still exists for them over the weekends.

Blessings in a Backpack is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that seeks to fill in this nutritional gap by

providing students with a backpack of easy-to-prepare foods like macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, granola bars

and juice boxes that they can take home every Friday during the school year. Currently, Blessings in a

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SOLUTION 2 Backpack provides “food backpacks" for over 72,000 children in 700 schools in 44 U.S. states and the District

of Columbia. To donate funds, food or backpacks or to see about starting a program in your area, click on the

above link for this organization.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Advantages of Federal Program:

Provides children who suffer from food insecurity and hunger with nutrient rich, low fat healthy meals that will

help them have the energy they need to thrive in school.

Lessens the financial burdens of low income families who can allocate money they would have to spend on

breakfast and lunch towards other needs, like rent and utilities.

Disadvantages of Federal Program: Does not do anything to help children have a nutritious dinner each night at home.

Does not do anything to ensure children have nutritious meals over the weekend when they are not in school.

Does not help children who are too young or too old for the program, nor does it help their parents have

nutritious meals, either.

Interview with Social Worker, Gary Grossman:

“The Venture School is an alternative public high school in the Arlington Independent School District for

students who do not thrive in a traditional classroom setting, are behind in their class credits, have failed

classes, are pregnant and do not wish to stay at their local school, are parents, have attendance problems, are at

risk of dropping out or just need smaller class sizes.

As a social worker for the last 24 years, we look at what we call “HBSE” or Human Behavior and Social

Environment. We try to understand the person in their whole environment – diet, sleep, exercise, community

dynamics, and learning disabilities. Our students are diverse – you can’t just isolate one situation, but the

quality of nutritional intake has a lot to do with the developing brain. The students live in a range of situations –

some live together in an apartment, some have parents who are addicts, some kids are fending for themselves.

Impoverished communities don’t always have a lot of whole and fresh foods available in schools or even the

local markets. Bad for you food is inexpensive. When it comes to nutrition – it is hard to study when you are

hungry. I had a student this morning that came in with a headache. We got her something to eat and she felt

better. They have a hard time focusing. They have stomach issues. Psychologically food can be a comfort. If

you don’t have food, shelter and the basics, how do you handle everything else?

Besides the Federal School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, Grace Presbyterian Church has been working

with us for about 8 years. Every week the church brings in about 15 bags of groceries that we are able to

distribute to the kids. If the kids are worried about or wondering where they will get food for the evening or

weekend, giving them a bag of groceries can help relieve that worry. During the summer, Venture is a site for

the summer lunch program where kids and even their families can come for a free lunch every day.

Additional help, if needed, may be found through the Tarrant Area Food Bank or Mission Arlington. The most

important thing is to develop a close enough relationship with the students so if they need help, they feel safe

asking for it. Besides feeding the kids, our focus is getting them an education.”

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SOLUTION 3

FOOD BANKS

With state funding programs ending and federal programs in the

early stages of development, the creation of the first food bank,

by John van Hengel in 1967, addressed the social issue of hunger

in the United States and managed to distribute about 250,000

pounds of food with the help of his staff of just three volunteers.

Clarify the solution: A food bank purchases, collects, and

distributes money and food to “agencies” – food pantries, soup

kitchens, senior and child care centers, etc. – that then distribute it

to people in need (Everett, 2012). Food banks are non-profit

organizations that work with the community and businesses to

donate food, money, and time to those in need.

(http://www.firstfoodbank.org/learn-more/our-history#sthash.AZsfFTue.dpuf)

Key components

Availability

Food banks distribute food to other food banks in need, food pantries, and meal programs that provide

food to people in immediate need.

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal

programs. Their network serves every community in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Feeding America provides more than 3 billion meals to families each year.

Food banks are able to provide immediate help to those who are trying to qualify for or may make a

little too much to qualify for government programs.

Raises Public Awareness

Feeding America uses public service announcements with the help of over $60 million of donated media

annually.

They establish partnerships with high-profile celebrities to implement their marketing campaigns.

Hunger is a problem that is around all year, not just around the holidays.

14.5% of US households struggle to put food on the table (49 million Americans), 15.9 million are

children (breadfortheworld).

Hunger is caused by poverty. More than 1 in 7 people in the US live below the poverty level

(breadfortheworld).

37% of those requesting emergency food assistance are employed (citymayorsociety, 2012).

Food drives at grocery stores and schools are an important way for raising awareness in communities

and provide an immediate way to become involved. All donations to a food bank are important.

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SOLUTION 3

Advocacy

Long term goals of food banks are to alleviate hunger. Through advocacy staff and volunteers can promote

change in legislative policy and become a voice for those in need.

Feeding America supports federal programs that help feed Americans as well as working on federal tax policies

that help get more food to food banks.

In response to President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, Feeding America states, “We are, however,

disappointed that the president’s budget again calls for limiting charitable deductions for individual taxpayers, a

recommendation that numerous independent studies have shown to cause declines in charitable giving.”

Feeding America’s public policy goals are working to ensure that:

No child is at risk of hunger

People can get help during hard times

Food banks are well stocked to help those in need

Families have a solid foundation by having access to nutritious food

Research

When hunger is understood, it can be solved. Feeding America invests in top-of-the-line research initiatives.

Map the Meal Gap report and quadrennial Hunger in America Study. These studies provide food insecurity

rates for every county and congressional district in America.

Hunger in America is the largest and most statistically valid, comprehensive demographic profile of people

seeking food assistance through charity. They inform state and federal policy level decision makers. It is

important that legislators are aware of the statistics because government funded programs continue to have cuts

to their funding.

Strengths of food banks

Their non-profit recognition allows donations to be tax deductible. This is one way they are able to get most of

their food donations from the food industry.

They are able to get needed food supplies to community food pantries and soup kitchens for immediate use.

Weaknesses of food banks

Large warehouse space needed for storage as well as transportation needs to distribute.

Volunteers are always needed, not just during the holiday season.

Interview with Pastor John Hopkins: J

“Our legal entity is Ferry Street Ministries, but we operate under the name of Lighthouse Outreach Center

We began 18 years ago as a Christian coffee house and soon realized the need people had for food assistance.

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SOLUTION 3

We have two programs, Food Share and the Soup Kitchen - With Food Share, we have a once a month pick up

of groceries at two locations. Many people come to both locations. We have prepackaged bags of groceries (to

meet the food pyramid nutrition guidelines) as well as a table of other various food items that they are welcome

to take what they like. We also deliver once a month groceries to seniors at a local high rise.

The majority of our food comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank. We also hold food drives to involve the

community. We serve anyone who comes to us in need. We have seniors, families, young adults, as well as

homeless.

Since our program began, I have continued to see increasing demand. During times that textile companies were

closing down, we saw a dramatic increase in the number of families who were in need.

The most challenging aspect of our program is not the availability of food. I would say the biggest challenge we

face is the cost of infrastructure. We use the church for our soup kitchen on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

There is the cost of heating the facility as well as electric to prepare the meals. We also have a truck we use for

deliveries and there are costs associated with that. In order to assist more people in the community, we rent a

small space across town and we have the costs associated with that.

The most rewarding aspect of our program is we get to see first-hand how we are changing people’s lives. We

often meet extended family members who express gratitude for assisting their loved ones. We see their quality

of life begin to change. We are helping people when they are most vulnerable and they are grateful.

I ran multi-million dollar companies and employed 40 people in a previous life and I must say what I do now is

so much more rewarding to me than running a successful company. When you do what you are supposed to be

doing, it never seems like work.

Besides hunger, the biggest issue they are experiencing, is spiritual hunger. This is as much a problem as their

physical hunger. They are at a low point, and really need to be reminded of what Jesus has done for them. The

spiritual ministering we are able to provide as they come to us for their physical needs is just as important to

meet.”

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

General Consequences of Hunger

Shannon, Laliberte. “Hunger in America.” Who is hungry in America? EPA, 13 September 2010. Web. 12

March 2015.

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm

Cohen, Rhonda. Kim, Myoung. Ohls, Jim. Hunger in America. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. March 2006.

Web. 12 March 2015.

http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic353091.files/Fall_2007/Dec_13/A2HNationalReport.pdf

Maurer, Donna., Sobal, Jeffery. Eating Agendas Food and Nutrition as Social Problems. New York: Walter de

Gruyter Inc., 1995. Print.

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Wb1QqVUDJskC&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=the+sc

ope+of+hunger+in+america&ots=KvDGWlNFaP&sig=e8P_VBVULtRJMQw1MXJbEjtAmIM#v

=onepage&q=the%20scope%20of%20hunger%20in%20america&f=false

“Hunger in America 2014.” National Report Prepared for Feeding America. Resource Library online, 2014.

Web. 12 March 2015.

http://www.resourcelibrary.gcyf.org/sites/gcyf.org/files/resources/2014/hunger-in-america-2014-

full-report.pdf

Cook, John T. and Frank, Deborah A. “Food Security, Poverty, and Human Development: Scientific

Approaches.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1136. (2008): 193-209. Print.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1425.001/full

http://www.npr.org/2005/11/22/5021812/q-a-the-causes-behind-hunger-in-america

Facts about hunger along with the causes of hunger facing so many people living in America. It focuses

on food insecurity and why this is such a trend in America.

http://www.bread.org/hunger/us/causes.html

This site talks about the causes of hunger in the U.S. And about hunger in general from a number of

different aspects that affect individuals/families that are faced with this issue every day in America.

http://www.wfp.org/hunger

This site describes what hunger is and the importance to make sure that this issue can get resolved – the

first is analyzing the problem and breaking down the components.

www.thinkprogress.org

An independent, non-partisan, progressive site that reports on issues important to the world.

www.nutrition.gov

U.S. federal guide offering access to all government web sites with reliable and accurate information on

nutrition and dietary guidance.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Hunger and Pregnancy Ivers, L.C. & Cullen, K.A. Food insecurity: Special considerations for women. American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition 94.6(2011): 1740S-1744S. PMC. Web. 17 Mar 2015

Hunger and School Aged Children Too Hungry to Learn: Food Insecurity and School Readiness. Meredith Hickson, et al., September 3, 2013.

Children’s HealthWatch

http://www.childrenshelathwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/toohungrytolearn_report.pdf

The Venture School at Grace Presbyterian Church:

http://newdaytexas.com

“Hunger: Its Impact on Children’s Health and Mental Health.” Pediatrics Official Journal of the American

Academy of Pediatrics. 110.41 (2002): 1-11. Print.

http://hunger.coe.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/weinreb-etal1.pdf

www.endhunger.com

Works with the entertainment industry and other partners to create and support media projects, programs

and events to raise awareness and generate action to end U.S. child hunger.

Child Nutrition Reauthorization of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Nutrition Fact Sheet Retrieved from

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Child_Nutrition_Fact_Sheet_12_10_10.pdf

Too Hungry to Learn: Food Insecurity and School Readiness

Meredith Hickson,et al., September 3, 2013 Children's HealthWatch

http://www.childrenshealthwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/toohungrytolearn_report.pdf

Feed America

The Feeding America network of food banks is leading the fight against hunger in communities

nationwide.

http://www.feedingamerica.org

Do Something

The Feeding America network of food banks is leading the fight against hunger in communities

nationwide.

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-hunger-us

National League of Cities

Cities are starting afterschool meal programs.

http://www.nlc.org/find-city-solutions/institute-for-youth-education-and-families/family-economic-

success/public-benefits/cities-combating-hunger-through-afterschool-meals-programs-(2013)

Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry

The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need with nutritious food and teaches their families how

to cook healthy, affordable meals. The campaign also engages the public to make ending child hunger a

national priority.

www.nokidhungry.org

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and

nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-

cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School

Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp

School Breakfast Program

The School Breakfast Program provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs

in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition service administers the SBP at

the Federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food

authorities operate the Program in schools.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp

Feeding America

Feeding America is the 2nd largest national searchable database for food banks, soup kitchens and

shelters.

www.feedingamerica.org

Homeless Shelter Directory

Homeless Shelter Directory provides a searchable nationwide database for homeless shelter and food

assistance for soup kitchens, food pantries and food banks.

www.homelessshelterdirectory.org

The Open Door

The Open Door provides a nationwide searchable database of food pantries and other free programs for

the needy.

www.foodpantries.org

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/CREDITS

1. “Hunger in the US”, Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 18 February 2015.

Web. 11 March 2015.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunger_in_the_United_States

2. “Hunger and homelessness remain most pressing issues for US cities”. Citymayorssociety13. 26 December

2012. n.p. Web. 11 March 2015.

http://www.citymayors.com/features/uscity_poverty.html

3. Cooper, Ann. “What is the Child Nutrition Act and Why Should We Care?” US News and World Report.

19 March 2015. Web. 19 March 2015.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/03/19/what-is-the-child-nutrition-act-and-

why-we-should-care

4. Hunger and Food Insecurity “Bring America Home” National Coalition for the Homeless. Nov. 2011.

http://nationalhomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Food-Insecurity-Fact-Sheet.pdf

5. LaBue, Gaston T., ed. Hunger in America : Issues and Assistance. New York, NY, USA: Nova Science

Publishers, Inc., 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 12 March 2015.

6. National Education Association Child Nutrition Fact Sheet

http://www.nea.org/home/39282.htm

7. “Homeless People Deserve Food Too” National Homeles.org

http://nationalhomeless.org/campaigns/food-sharing/

8. Stop Senior Hunger. “The Effects of Poverty and Hunger on Seniors” Comfort Keepers. 2010.

http://interactivecaregiving.com/sites/default/files/FactSheet-EffectsPoverty-Seniors.pdf

9. Coleman-Jensen, “Hunger in America: 2015 United States Hunger and Poverty Facts.” Hunger Notes.

September 2014. Web. 12 March 2015.

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm

10. McMillan, Tracie. “The New Face of Hunger.” National Geographic Magazine, n.d. Web. 12 March 2015.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/hunger/

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