Essay On Hunger And Hunger

“America is the richest country in the world. And yet tonight, thousands of your neighbors will go to bed hungry. It may be your child's schoolmate who is undernourished and has difficulty learning on an empty stomach. Or it could be a co-worker, a working mother whose low-wage job doesn't make ends meet. Perhaps it's an elderly neighbor who has to make a decision whether to delay filling a prescription or buying groceries. The faces of hunger are as broad as the faces of America." ~ David Nasby, General Mills (H.U.N.G.E.R).

If America is the richest country in the world, why is it that our children, elderly, and poor are going to bed hungry? It is alarming that all over the United States, one in six Americans go hungry (Outnumber Hunger, 2014). Of course, there is the stigma that people suffering from hunger and poverty only have themselves to blame because they are lazy and don’t want to work (Macionis, 2012, p. 260). However, hunger and poverty have long been rooted in American history. This makes it not an issue caused by individuals, but by society (Macionis, 2012, pp. 260-261).

Approximately sixteen million children lack the daily nutrients they need (No Kid Hungry, 2013). Facts show that school age children suffering from hungry can experience many developmental and academic delays (No Kid Hungry, 2013). Sadly, hunger is a part of many children’s lives and the effects of hunger are devastating and can be irreversible. In order for our brain to function properly it’s so essential that the proper nutrients through food are eaten daily (No Kid Hungry, 2013). Studies show that children who are severely hungry they are more likely to start fights, ignore teachers, and steal (American Pyschological Association, 2014). The is...

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...e 1939 with a short break between the years of 1943 through 1953 (Low Income Housing Authority, 2013). This shows that society has not only been involved in causing the issue of hunger and poverty, but has also worked to alleviate it.

As Americans I think we all should all be involved in helping better our society. I think to some degree we should look after people that are less fortunate. Simply donating food, money, or time to local schools, churches, or food banks would definitely make a difference to hungry families in our own community. Some people may say that it is up to the individual to improve their life. However, working together and helping the less fortunate can make our society more united and productive. The small price we pay when we offer to help is ultimately to create a brighter future for our neighbors across the street and across the country.