This search for food is affecting more children and families. According to Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on Our Nation, a July 1st report from Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief agency, "The direct and indirect effect of child hunger in the U.S. is a contributing factor to the nation’s economic woes and puts America at a competitive disadvantage."
Some of these disadvantages include more frequent medical problems and hospitalizations due to hunger and a declining number of youth able to enter and compete in American colleges and the workforce.
According the United States Department of Agriculture," 2.4 million American children--one in six--are food insecure. One in five children under the age of five live at risk of hunger in 13 states."
So, although many ways exist to address this problem, more attention needs to be paid to certain methods.
Food Banks-One Way to Battle the Hunger
If you are currently struggling or want to help someone in need, food banks, no matter where you live, are out there.
Feeding America has a network of over 200 foodbanks nationwide that organize and contribute to over 63,000 agencies to administer food. Some the subsidiary agencies are based at churches and community centers.
Food banks go by federal income guidelines to determine who needs help. More and more people are being considered. For instance, a family of four making a little over 30,000 can receive assistance. Once in touch with the closest food bank nearest you, eligibility can be determined.
Types of Food and Goods Available
At a local food pantry in Pittsburgh, many health and cosmetic supplies are also available. In late June a group of 100 or so senior citizens and young families snarled their way through the lobby of the Lincoln Community Center food pantry picking up canned goods, frozen meats, diapers, and even makeup.
Joyce Davis manages the facility and wants to make sure everyone who needs help is welcomed. She even serves them a homemade snack while they are collecting their items. Food pantry participants are responsible for bringing their own bags.
The food donations come from a number of sources with the emphasis being on promoting good health. Noticeable contributions at the Lincoln Park Communtiy Center were bags of healthy chicken nuggets fortified with certain nutrients important to children.
Feeding America's biggest contributor is the ConAgra Food Foundation, which has also partnered with them in conducting a state by state analysis of the hunger situation.
The most needed items are canned fruits, vegetables, cereals and diapers.
Other Forms of Government Food Assistance
Of course, for the truly needy, food banks are not enough and more long-term assistance is needed. The government has a number of income-based programs available. The most common are the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
The recent stimulus bill and an increase in USDA funding have expanded these programs. So if you find your economic status spiraling downward into poverty, government and local food assistance can help fill a hungry stomach.
With that being said, hunger is affecting America's ability to economically compete. In a time of recession, food banks are becoming bombarded with more needy families. However, the government has added funds to food assistance programs and more community agencies are finding creative ways to get people help.
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