Hunger
Hunger is an issue that children face around the world. Many children are not fortunate to receive daily meals and could possibly go without food for days. Lack of nutrition and hunger impact how children develop mentally and physically. In America, there are governmental and non-profit programs and organizations to ensure young children receive daily meals. WIC, SNAP, and Feeding America provide many children and families with access to food (Feeding America, 2012).
“In 2010, 16.4 million or approximately 22 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty. Research indicates that hungry children do more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they are not well prepared for school and cannot concentrate” (Feeding America, 2012).
In Canada, hundreds of thousands of individuals are impacted by hunger. Hunger is “one of the most preventable and significant health issues facing Canadian society” (Kennedy, 2007). Food banks are located throughout the country to provide food to help alleviate hunger. Food Banks Canada conducts research on hunger and low-income tri-annually. Annually, the HungerCount report is published (Foods Bank Canada, 2011).
“Even short-term food deprivation can affect the physical and mental development of young children who are disproportionately represented in the ranks of Canada's hungry (41% compared with 25% in the population at large).1 And the psychological torment of being denied the satisfaction of a good meal preys on children and adults alike” (Kennedy, 2007).
Feeding America. (2012). Child hunger facts. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx
Foods Bank Canada. (2011). Research. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from: http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/hungercount
Kennedy, G. (2007). Food for all. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/177/12/1473.full?ijkey=%209ed307218ade8d69aaad3aece8f47d6c63397438&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
Hunger is a problem, even in the U.S.! We are so thankful for the organizations that provide our country with assistance and relief during times where this is a problem!
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Canada, are food banks their only source of assistance or do they also offer government funded programs?
Thank you for sharing your resources. I really wonder how am I going to teach my children today when they are facing such harsh realities like worrying about when or what their next meal will be...because that is the truth of the state of affairs. Our school day officially starts at 9:00, but the fact of the matter is, that we can't begin anything until about 9:30 because all of the kids are eating their free and reduced breakfast that has been provided by the school. I get really mad thinking about the fact that these families can't afford to feed their children breakfast. It is unjust.
ReplyDelete