Hungry in America

ABC news has had a series of reports this week on the number of hungry children in America. The numbers are staggering.

"Homeless" -  Judy Warner

According to a website article:  "As many as 17 million children nationwide are struggling with what is known as food insecurity. To put it another way, one in four children in the country is living without consistent access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life, according to the study, "Map the Meal Child Food Insecurity 2011."



Here is another startling statement: "In fact, a shocking 49 percent of all babies born in the U.S. are born to families receiving food supplements from the WIC program, according to Jean Daniel, spokesperson for the USDA." [WIC, a supplemental food program that provides tailored food supplements to pregnant women and families with children under age 5 whose household income is less than 185 percent of the gross federal poverty limit. That's an annual gross income of $41,348 for a family of four.]


 In a related web article, there is a list of ways that you can help including supporting your local food bank, or contributing $10 by texting FEED to 50555.

I will be flying off to India later next week and much of the time will be spent in an area where poverty is rampant and families go hungry. I found the ABCNews reports a stark reminder that hunger is not just 'over there' but right here in my own backyard.  Hope that you can take the time to check out some of the stories and choose a way to contribute in your own community.