Feeding the Families

Victory Obielodan

     NHS is currently having a food drive. You can supply them with canned or boxed goods that will go to the local food pantry for families in need by the end of this week, just in time for Thanksgiving. In Grant County, there are at least sixteen food pantries. There is good motive behind food drives, as there are forty million people in the United States that suffered of hunger in 2017; of the forty million more than twelve million were children. Households that do not have certain access to enough food to live a healthy life are called food insecure households. About 84 percent of families buy the cheapest foods available instead of healthier options. Unfortunately, households with children are more likely to be food insecure. One in six children in the U.S suffer from hunger. Children that face hunger are more likely to be hospitalized and have health issues. As they grow older they may have problems in school and experience developmental issues and social issues. On a positive note, 58 percent of food insecure households participated in at least one of the major federal food programs. Here are some statistics on food insecure households:
   ● 17.9% of children under 18 live in food insecure homes in the U.S; 17% for WI
   ● 56% of children eat school breakfast; 51.1 for WI
   ● 15.8% of children take advantage of the summer meals program; 16.5% for WI
   ● 83% of households eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits receive them, 100% for WI
      Remember the benefits that come with donating food to food assistance programs and food pantries. It helps many families and children nationwide.



All information is from:
   ● www.feedingamerica.org
   ● www.nokidhungry.org