Here are some sobering facts about hunger in the US. (Courtesy Do Something)
- 1 in 6 people in America face hunger.
- Households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children in 2011. 20.6 percent vs. 12.2 percent.
- Food insecurity exists in every county in America. In 2011, 17.9 million households were food insecure.
- 50.1 million Americans struggle to put food on the table.
- In the US, hunger isn’t caused by a lack of food, but rather the continued prevalence of poverty.
- More than 1 in 5 children is at risk of hunger
- Among African-Americans and Latinos, it’s 1 in 3.
- Over 20 million children receive free or reduced-price lunch each school day. Less than half of them get breakfast and only 10 percent have access to summer feeding sites.
- For every 100 school lunch programs, there are only 87 breakfast sites and just 36 summer food programs.
- 1 in 7 people are enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Nearly half of them are children.
- 40 percent of food is thrown out in the US every year, or about $165 billion worth. All of this uneaten food could feed 25 million Americans.
These seven states have statistically higher food insecurity rates than the US national average (14.7%):
Mississippi (19.2%)Texas (18.5%)Arkansas (19.2%)Alabama (17.4%)Georgia (17.4%)Florida (16.2%)North Carolina (17.1%)
- One in seven households struggles with hunger.
- 73% of teachers say that they have kids who start the day hungry because there isn’t enough food at home.
All month Feeding America is challenging Americas to eat on 4.50 a day.
As I’ve talked about in my 21 Meals on $5 a day, it’s not easy. Shaving .50 off? Seems impossible.
There are things that we can all do to help.
1. Donate. There are national programs that help. Check out Feeding America
2. Donate food to your local food pantry
3. Donate time to your local food pantry or food co-op.
4. Invite someone for a good healthy meal.
Namaste y’all.
