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This article is brought to you in partnership with Child Hunger Ends Here.
What if you didn’t know where your next meal was coming from? Unfortunately, 1 in 5 children in the United States have that question every day. We see commercials about children in other countries, charities which reach out to nations in dire need of help. But, we don’t always remember that hunger lives right in here in our own neighborhoods.
What Does Hunger Look Like In Your Community?
“Insecurity” is a word we are all familiar with. It means uncertainty, anxiety, or a lack of confidence. Right now nearly 16 million US children are uncertain if they will have dinner, feel anxiety about how empty the family cabinets are, and lack confidence that tomorrow will be any different. Food Insecurity refers to USDA’s measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. In a nutshell: kids are hungry.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget about food insecurity in our own towns because the families aren’t necessarily ‘insecure’ at all times. Many are not homeless or without work. Families may go from food secure to insecure and back again due to changes in work hours, sudden unemployment, changes in food prices, family tragedy and more.
So what is the hunger insecurity level in your state? Child Hunger Ends Here, a charity organization created by the partnering of ConAgra Foods and P&G, offers an interactive map that shows you the areas of need in the nation.
In my state of Massachusetts, almost 780,000 people experience food insecurity. That’s almost 12% of my local population that goes without nourishing meals. In my state, 63% of people earn an income that qualifies them for SNAP food benefits. It’s amazing to think that in such a modern state, so many people need help just feeding their families. Some areas are even worse, like North Carolina with over 74% of families who qualify. Where does your state fit in? Check The Map
What Can We Do To Help?
The answer is probably easier than you think. Look for the red pushpin and locate the code found on specially marked ConAgra Foods and P&G products. For every 8-digit code entered at www.ChildHungerEndsHere.com through August 28th 2014, ConAgra Foods or P&G, respectively, will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America.
Even after this promotion is over, seek out your local food pantries, soup kitchens and family assistance centers. Even if you can’t donate cash or supplies, lending a hand can make a difference and provide even more time for the organization to help food insecure families in your area.
One small, but powerful way you can help right now: Please take a moment and fill out this short survey on US hunger and food insecurity. Your feedback can help improve these efforts more in the coming years.
Want to learn more about how you can get involved? Join the Child Hunger Ends Here Facebook community at Facebook.com/ChildHungerEndsHere or follow the news on Twitter and Instagram at @ChildHungerEnds.
You can Tweet us too @RemakingJune
