Child hunger is a significant problem in the United States.
More than 36 million Americans face a daily struggle against hunger. While hunger affects people of all ages, it is particularly devastating for more than 12 million children. Even short-term episodes of hunger can cause lasting damage to a child’s development. Hunger puts children at risk for a range of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical problems. One in every six American children experiences hunger each year and as a result is more likely to:
- Exhibit decreased attention span and lower test scores;
- Display aggression, tardiness, and absenteeism;
- Suffer anxiety and depression; and
- Become sick or be hospitalized.
We have the tools to end child hunger in our country.
Strengthening child nutrition programs is an immediate and direct way to reduce child hunger and improve health and educational outcomes. Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); school breakfast and lunch programs; and preschool, summer and afterschool meal programs are vital in providing children the food they need for healthy development.
Unfortunately, child nutrition programs do not reach all children in need of food.
Currently 10 million eligible children do not receive breakfast and 16 million do not get summer meals. Many eligible children lack access to programs or face other barriers to participation, whether it’s because a program is not offered in their community, transportation is limited, or eligibility provisions lack coordination with other agencies. Child nutrition programs could do far more to reduce hunger simply by reaching more kids:
- There are 101,000 schools operating the National School Lunch Program, but only 85,000 operating the School Breakfast Program.
- Only 32,700 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites operate nationwide.
- Of the more than 18 million children receiving free or reduced-price lunches each school day, only 46 percent receive breakfast and just 12 percent receive summer food.
Child nutrition programs are only effective when they reach the children who need food. The top priority for child nutrition reauthorization must be to increase program access and participation among eligible, low-income children.
Congress is scheduled to reauthorize child nutrition programs in 2009. The first step in the process is to secure significant new investments for child nutrition programs. Without adequate funding, authorizing committees will be unable to make necessary improvements to these programs, leaving millions of children without access to needed food.
The next step is for the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee to write legislation. Before they draft the bill, the committees will hold hearings and receive input from stakeholders, including anti-hunger advocates.
You can influence the 2009 child nutrition and WIC reauthorization by writing your members of Congress and urging them to close the hunger gap, especially at breakfast and in the summer. Significant new investments are needed to increase program access and participation for eligible children.
With your help, strong reauthorized programs can provide millions of hungry children with the food they need and put us on track to achieving the president’s goal of ending child hunger by 2015.
