Uniting Against Hunger-An Imperative Today

Henry Fetta

Today an estimated 22 million Americans are food insecure and that includes 20 to 25% of our children.

Regardless of your political, social or religious beliefs one thing that all Americans can agree upon is that no one in our country should go hungry. Today an estimated 22 million Americans are food insecure and that includes 20 to 25% of our children.

Proper nutrition for children is a key to their health and development. A child’s physical, emotional, social and brain development can suffer when they are malnourished. Food insecurity can significantly impact their education and career readiness and lead to a spiral of generational poverty.

Save the Children reports that in the lowest socio-economic areas in the U.S. as many as 40% of the children are food insecure. They go on to report that 30 million children are dependent on at least some of their meals from a school meals program. However, with the loss of family income related to the pandemic and extended school closures, food insecurity has become an even greater issue as the pandemic continues on.

In spite of this, according to The Children’s Defense Fund, “Schools across the U.S. have shamed families and children with lunch debt by taking hot meals away from students and throwing them away, forcing students without lunch money to eat a tuna sandwich as a ‘badge of shame,’ trying to bar students with lunch debt from attending prom or graduation and firing employees for letting a student take food without paying.”

The World Health Organization estimates that 45% of the deaths of children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition. They go on to say, “undernutrition makes children much more vulnerable to low height-for-age stunting, disease and death.”

Hunger Resource Network has developed programs to help children and families struggling with food insecurity. To learn more about how you can help go to www.hungerresourcenetwork.org If you are in need of food, regardless of your income, contact the Northfield Township Food Pantry at www.twp.northfield.il.us or call 847-724-8300.

Hunger Resource Network is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization based in Northbrook, IL. It is dedicated to help alleviate hunger in the Chicago area by meeting the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

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The Importance of Protein

By Marcy Kirshenbaum • 22 Oct, 2023

By addressing food insecurity and promoting adequate protein intake, we can improve the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. This requires collaborative efforts from governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based initiatives, and individuals to create sustainable solutions and break the cycle of food insecurity. Efforts should focus on improving access to nutritious food, promoting sustainable agriculture, fostering economic opportunities, and empowering vulnerable populations. Food insecurity has profound consequences on physical health, cognitive development, and overall well-being. When individuals or households experience food insecurity, they often struggle to access an adequate and diverse range of nutritious foods, including those rich in protein. Inadequate protein intake contributes to malnutrition and its associated health consequences. Protein is essential for growth , development, and maintenance of the body's tissues, as well as for numerous physiological processes. It plays a crucial role in building and repairing muscles, producing enzymes and hormones, supporting immune function, and maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. Protein intake has an additional benefit of reducing feelings of hunger because it metabolizes at a slower rate than carbohydrates thereby promoting fullness. Insufficient protein intake can lead to muscle wasting, increased illness, delayed wound healing, and decreased overall health and well-being.

Fourth Annual “Students Helping Students” Campaign

By Henry Fetta • 06 Jul, 2022

Westmoor Elementary School - Sunday, July 16th from 10 am – 2 pm.

You Can Help Relieve Hunger in the Chicagoland area