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Essay about effects and causes of hunger
Essay about effects and causes of hunger
Essay about effects and causes of hunger
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BACKGROUND: FEEDING AMERICA
According to the “Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet” on Feeding America’s website, in 2014 there were over 48 million Americans living in food insecure households, which included 32 million adults and 15 million children. For over 35 years, Feeding America continues to be in the forefront in solving this crisis by providing food to people in need through a nationwide network of food banks. In the late 1960s, Van Hengel established the nation’s first food bank and years later established the first national organization of food banks, Second Harvest. Second Harvest was later called America’s Second Harvest the Nation’s Food Bank Network and in 2008, the national organization changed its name to Feeding America.
Feeding
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They provide food to over 46 million people in need through their network of 200 food banks. They also work diligently on raising awareness by partnering with high-profile celebrities to create effective public service announcements. Though they are doing an amazing job tackling the hunger issue and spreading knowledge regarding hunger in America, there are two areas that may require adjustments.
Findings
According to the “Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet” on Feeding America’s website, in 2014 there were over 48 million Americans living in food insecure households, which included 15 million children. During the school year, these children rely on free or reduce breakfast and lunch. When the summer vacation months arrive, these children loose the security of these meals. Feeding America, working alongside the United States Department of Agriculture, provide free summer meals to these children. Unfortunately, not all children and families are aware that these programs are taking place; therefore missing out on a vital resource to help stretch their food dollars throughout the summer
The vision of the food bank is “sharing food and bringing hope.” The goal of the food bank is to provide food for as many people in need as they can. On top of that, they would also like to end hunger problems as a whole. The central food bank is able to produce twelve meals for one dollar. They also do not charge agencies for the food they distribute. Last year they were able to distribute more than twenty eight million pounds of food in the central Missouri area. The food bank relies on various partnerships and volunteers to be able to produce and distribute as much food as they do. That is their mission, to bring together people in the community in order to feed those in need.
The Tarrant Area Food Bank is a prominent nonprofit organization that continuously works to fight hunger in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and does an excellent job at it. While their abilities may be limited, the Food Bank accomplishes as much as they can. From personal instances of volunteering, I know how wonderful the feeling of giving rather than receiving is in the long run. Throughout my work, in local food banks, community service projects, and research groups, my knowledge about the ever existing struggle of hunger is heightened, and I know how important it is for organizations such the Tarrant Area Food Bank to exist, operate, and serve. More necessary than the Food Bank, the responsibility lies on the volunteers to help spark the change
As we sit down to eat our dinner, millions of Americans are affected by hunger. Food banks such as Harry Chapin Food Bank make it possible for low-come families to be able to be nourished and survive through these tough economic times. Through Harry Chapin Food Bank’s partnership with Walmart, Publix, and Win Dixie and the engagement of volunteers; they create sustainability and the ability to fight together as one against hunger, is possible.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) is a federal program founded in 1964, with the purpose of reducing hunger and malnutrition in the United States. Low-income families and individuals that qualify for this federal assistance can buy food every month in the form of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT). These EBT cards are similar to debit card; cardholder’s recipient can use their cash benefits or buy eligible food at most stores and retailers. Over the years S.N.A.P expenses have dramatically increase. S.N.A.P needs reform due to the never-ending of the amount of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Child hunger is a major struggle for many families. The article “School's Out for the Summer”, by Anna quindlen explains when school is let out for the summer there is less food for the kids who need it. The problem is we don’t recognize that this is happening within our country.
In the year 2015, around 40 million U.S. citizens were food insecure (Randall para. 3). Food insecurity can be defined in paragraph 3 by “[having] difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources. This 12.7% of American citizens also contains another group - children. Aged 10-17, 6.8 million adolescents struggle with a food insecurity. There have been several years of cuts to the social programs designed to help these people, along with the Great Recession continuing to leave an impact on the U.S. economy (para. 6). Under the Obama administration, $8.6 billion was cut from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. From 1993-2001 under the Clinton administration, former President Bill Clinton’s administration “gutted the welfare system” (para. 15). Because of these budget cuts, the families who rely on food assistance from the government have been allotted less throughout the years. From a sociological perspective, the concepts of sociological imagination, class stratification, and social location are in effect when it comes to child hunger in the United States. Being hungry is an issue larger than any one individual can control.
The United States is known as the wealthiest country in the world. But, there are many people that can't afford to buy food for their families, many are also homeless. “While hunger affects people of all ages, it's particularly devastating for children even short-term episodes of hunger can cause lasting damage."(“Child Nutrition Programs") Child hunger in the United States is caused by poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and food shortage; however there are many solutions to this problem like FRAC strategies, food banks, summer feeding programs, and backpack feeding programs.
The project goal was to locate and identify resources to reduce or prevent food insecurity in students. After speaking with Second Harvest Food bank it was determined there were students that would qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Therefore, one objective was to inform students of the qualifications of SNAP, provide them with the information needed to initiate the program and finally track those students that completed the SNAP application process. My second objective was to create a reference handout of information for Boynton staff to provide for those food insecure individuals, diverting the students to appropriate resources.
In today’s world millions of individuals donate nonperishable goods to food banks in order to close the chasm between compensation and supplemental nutrition assistance programs. However, with a growing population and millions of hungry people, it is highly difficult to feed everyone. With that being said, a team of engineers in North Carolina has used systems and considerable amounts of data to improve programs that feed the hungry.
Feeding America is a nonprofit organization based in the Unites States whose goal is to take on the hunger crisis in America. Their beginnings start in the 1960s by a man named John van Hengel. Being retired, he spent his time volunteering at a soup kitchen. He met a woman who would go through the garbage bins behind the grocery stores. She mentioned to him that she wished there was a place where food that is going to be thrown out but still good, can be sent so people like her could have access to. This was the beginnings to Van Hengels idea for a food bank was born.
In order to determine the prevalence of households that are food insecure, “The Food Security Supplement is administered annually to about 45,000 households as part of the monthly, nationally representative Current Population Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The supplement has been conducted annually since 1995.” (Health Indicators Warehouse, 2013). The survey was developed by the USDA in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, and asks participants questions about their confiden...
I also recently volunteered at the Cleveland Food Bank by packing lunches for under privileged children and sorting non-perishable foods for those in need. Prior to participating in volunteer services for the day, we were required to watch a video that explains the purpose of the Cleveland Food Bank and why there is a need for continuous support. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. The mission of the Cleveland Food Bank is to alleviate hunger by providing food and support to community organizations that feed the hungry. Many people depend on the support because of their financial situation, life changes, and possible mental or physical limitations. The Food Bank acts as a storage unit and distribution facility for smaller agencies and organizations such as schools, homeless shelters, churches, and day
Walsh, Bryan. “America’s Food Crisis.” NEXUS. Eds. Kim and Michael Flachmann. Boston: Pearson, 2012. 166 – 173. Print.
In the United States, Food is one of the basic needs of life.We tend to spend tons of money every year to buy food. Consuming food reflects America’s culture in the United States. In America, Fast food is a way to enjoy delicious food made with sugar, fat and salt. It’s impossible to back away from eating good tasting food. Unfortunately, this is leading to major destruction. In the human life, food procurement, preparation, and consumption have devoted to an art form.Spite the terms of “America has a food problem,” it shows that our nation is unable to produce and supply safe, nutritious food in a way where it sustains our global population. Health Issues are a result of over consumption, which lead to portion sizes, and food production.
McDonald, Missy. "Solving world hunger, one meal at a time." Appleseeds Nov.-Dec. 2008: 2+. Student Edition. Web. 3 Mar. 2014.