14 Nov Food Insecurities – Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2022
Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life.
According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children experience food insecurity in the United States, every day.
Research confirms that hungry students are more likely to score lower on standardized tests, repeat a grade, be suspended from school, get sick more often and be hospitalized more frequently.
Hunger affects learning by curbing a child’s physical development, inhibiting their ability to focus and perform, and limiting their future achievements. (Heifer.org)
Unfortuneately, the effects of hunger are often amplified by the stigma of being food insecure.
Few students want to admit they receive free or reduced lunch and feel ashamed when they can’t pay school lunch fees.
Students can feel embarrassed having to come to school early to go to a lunchroom before classes, or getting a free school lunch when their friends have packed lunches or get to go out to eat.
This stigma can lead to more hunger because students avoid the available meals and food.
In our Northshore…
In October of 2021, of the 22,391 students enrolled in our district, 3,176, or 14.2% were enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program.
Yet, we continue to hear these stories from our schools.
“Michelle has requested help with food and being hungry. Throughout the day, she is distracted in class because of unmet basic needs and often takes multiple snacks provided by the school. She has low energy and anxiety towards the end of the school day around going home. “
And we are seeing a surge of requests for snack resources to be available during the day and in specific classrooms, so students can access needed food without bringing attention to themselves.
From the Foundation…
The Northshore Schools Foundation has been providing funding to support students experiencing food insecurity for many years and in lots of creative ways.
Each year, in partnership with community groups and donors, the Foundation works to pay outstanding school lunch bills and making sure that there is no financial barrier to access.
This summer the Foundation partnered with NSD , the YMCAand the City of Kenmore to fund lunches for over 60 northshore students who would not have been able to provide that resource.
This year, the Foundation has been asked to partner with schools and provide the bags needed to support sending weekend meals home with the student.
Additionally, through the commitment of our sponsors and donors, more than $60,000 has been provided in grocery gift cards to families experiencing food insecurity.
We couldn’t do this without your continued support of our Removing Barriers Programs. Thank you!
If you would like to support programs like this funded by the Northshore Schools Foundation, you can make your tax-deductible donation here.
