[2015] Jennifer Silcox: Child Hunger

In 2014, 15.5 million or approximately 21 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty

The limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food− 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014

Food Insecurity

Poverty Statistics

School-age children who experience severe hunger are at increased risk for the following negative outcomes:-Homelessness -Chronic health conditions. -Stressful life conditions. -Psychiatric distress. -Behavioral problems. -Internalizing behavior, including depression, anxiety, withdrawal and poor self-esteem.

- Children may feel stigmatized, isolated, ashamed or embarrassed by their lack of food- hungry children were significantly more likely to receive special education services, to have repeated a grade in school, and to have received mental health counseling- hungry children exhibited 7 to 12 times as many symptoms of conduct disorder

1. Find ways to put surplus food to better use2. Organize food drives or fundraisers3. Plant or spruce up a school or community garden4. Volunteer at a local food bank, pantry, shelter, or community kitchen5. Start or support a backpack feeding program7. Increase use of SNAP and/or Free and Reduced-Price School Meals programs8. Help teach families about healthy eating and cooking9. Raise public awareness of childhood hunger in your community10. Advocate for policies and programs that will help end childhood hunger in your community

Child Hunger

Effects of Hunger

Myth: Most hungry people are homelessFact: In North Carolina, only 12% of those served by our food pantries are homelessMyth: Most people are well nourished, getting three meals a dayFact: Even those who eat three meals a day may be malnourished because of the quality of what they eat

Hunger Myths

How to help