If the solution to food security were as easy as 1,2,3, the problem of hunger would have been solved long ago. With the start of another school year right around the corner, the issue of child hunger and ongoing efforts to address it are once again at the forefront of everyone’s mindset. The fact is that one in five North Carolina school-age children will face hunger this year. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle has long been a source of strength for those facing food insecurity, especially children. This year, Chiesi USA has thrown their weight behind this effort with a dollar-for-dollar match for all back-to-school gifts, up to $25,000, made before August 31, 2021.
As students head back to school, the Food Shuttle stands ready to provide support through programs designed for both immediate hunger relief and long-term sustainable solutions. One of the Food Shuttle’s best-known programs, BackPack Buddies, provides nutritious, kid-friendly weekend meals for students at greatest need of food insecurity. Last school year, the program delivered meals to over 1,600 students in 77 schools each week. School Pantries tackle child hunger by providing a readily accessible source of food assistance to students and their families at school-based pantries—locations that are convenient, familiar, and safe for children.
More long-term solutions in hunger relief include Agriculture Education programs like Growing School Gardens and Sprout Scouts—delivering hands-on instruction to children and teachers and increasing access to fresh produce through gardening education. Cooking Matters for Kids takes an even longer approach by teaching children and their families about nutrition, food budgeting, and menu planning in “bite-sized” courses just right for kids.
As a prelude to back-to-school, CBS 17 “My Carolina” lifestyle show will offer a look at these programs and examine how food insecurity impacts children. Missing meals is about more than losing a day’s worth of vitamins and minerals. Students who don’t get enough to eat are more likely to experience chronic illnesses like asthma and anemia. Their language and motor skills are likelier to be delayed. They face more social difficulties and are even more likely to be hospitalized.
The child food insecurity rate in the Food Shuttle’s seven-county service area in central North Carolina is projected to be at an average of 20.1% in 2021. In rural counties, such as Nash and Edgecombe, the rates are even higher. The child food insecurity rate for 2021 in Nash County is projected to be 24.2%. In Edgecombe County, that rate is projected to be an alarming 33.7% (Feeding America).
To help solve the problem of child hunger and be a part of the Chiesi USA matching opportunity, visit www.FoodShuttle.org/BackToSchool before August 31.
