Food insecurity: it is happening next door

“You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.” – Pope Francis, May 29, 2023

How many times have you heard the phrase “food insecurity”? Probably more than a few. For most of us, dear readers, it is a term which does not resonate with us personally.

We tend to tune out the news reports or media discussions surrounding the topic. We can relate to topics such as taxes, infrastructure, weather reports, etc., but hunger is something esoteric which does not affect our own lives. I get it. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hunger as “a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient.” While I perhaps have felt a hunger pang or two in my life, I have never lacked for nutritious food to fulfill my food security.

It may come as a surprise that one in seven households in the U.S. (13.5 percent) experience food insecurity or lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet. According to the Food Research and Action Center, an estimated 47.4 million American live in these households. The number of children living in these households (13.8 million) was up by 3.2 percent in 2022.¹ More about the children later.

Keep in mind that the term “food insecurity” as used in this column is referring to both lack of calories and/or lack of nutrition in those calories. A household which consumes primarily empty calories in their diet suffers from food insecurity as their bodies will suffer from lack of nutrients. A household devoid of enough calories will indeed suffer as well; our bodies require calorie minimums for energy, brain function, and optimum digestion. Military veterans’ food insecurity issues have risen each year since 2015.²

Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County provides a much needed food security opportunity for the elderly, disabled, chronically ill and homebound individuals at a low cost and subsidized by donations both individually and corporately.* Over 450 volunteers work to deliver about 200 meals daily for those in need of a well-balanced, nutritious meal prepared by Riverview Health.³

Public schools around our nation not only provide dietician supervised lunch meals for students but many also offer morning meals or snacks. A number of children receive most of their nutrition from attending school. This is very important to note. As schools prepare to release for the summer break (and this holds true for all the holiday breaks) there will be children who will suffer hunger due to the omission of school food preparation. This is a primary reason why it is so important to donate to local food pantries at those particular times. If you plan to pick up extra items next time you grocery shop, please select items low in sugar and sodium when possible. Certainly there are store brand choices and the point is to provide the best options available and within your budget.

Thank you to all the Meals on Wheels volunteers, the school cafeteria workers, the food pantry workers and volunteers, and all of you who donate to such an important and life-saving cause.

¹ frac.org/hunger

² Military Family Advisory Network

³ MealsOnWheelsHC.org (*Volunteers are needed, 317-776-7159)

Sharon McMahon, CNWC

The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.