I Didn't Have Dinner Last Night

No child should go hungry in America. That’s why the school lunch program was developed—to make sure children have access to affordable meals and the nutrition they need to be able to grow into healthy adults. But what happens when those children go home at the end of the day, or for the weekend?

Teachers at Portland, Oregon, area schools say that some kids and their families are at risk for hunger – especially on Saturdays and Sundays – even with the free breakfast and lunch program during the week. An article on the 100Neighborhoods website quotes one of those teachers saying, "It is sad to hear kids sometimes say, I didn't have dinner last night or they come in with two breakfasts. I ask them are you going to eat both breakfasts and they say 'yes' I didn't have dinner last night and they're kind of embarrassed and quiet, but they know that they have food...they know that for sure when they come to school they're going to have at least two meals." But on the weekends, these children can, and often, do go hungry. High unemployment and a tough economy forced record numbers of Oregonians to turn to emergency food last year. According to a study conducted by Oregon State University, the number of adult males receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, once known as the food stamp program) increased by 73 percent from 2005 to 2009, and twice as many two-partner households received assistance.

The USDA estimates that nearly 17 million U.S. children are considered at risk of hunger at some time during each school year. The American Federation of Teachers reports that “the problem has worsened over the last year of economic recession.”

In response to this enormous need, the Oregon Food Bank teamed with local government, businesses, faith communities, and agencies – including Catholic Charities – and the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program to open six school-based food pantry sites in the Portland area. Families who come to these pantries receive fresh vegetables and fruit, milk, eggs, bread and other miscellaneous groceries totaling 30 to 40 pounds, or about six bags of food. The pilot program, which began in March, is already showing progress. One of the schools is already serving more than two dozen families each week.

Food pantries co-located with schools. It’s a simple idea that is making a difference because a community dared to think and act anew.

Comments

[Ron L]

If a child reports that they "did not have dinner last night", the parents should be contacted / investigated. I would bet that they have the money to buy the food, form earnings or social programs. The parents need the training, and perhaps the supervision, to ensure they are caring for their children. Providing all meals for a child and ignoring the parent’s obligation will only lead to further erosion of the family!

[Ron L]

(Sorry for the misspelled word in the first post.)
Same posting with correction:
-------------------------------------
If a child reports that they "did not have dinner last night", the parents should be contacted / investigated. I would bet that they have the money to buy the food, from earnings or social programs. The parents need the training, and perhaps the supervision, to ensure they are caring for their children. Providing all meals for a child and ignoring the parent’s obligation will only lead to further erosion of the family!

[NYC catering]

This is sad but true. While many of us think of what gadget to buy next, there are still children who are starving not just in America but all over the world.

[Melis]

There is.Although the video is exaggerated.It's not hguenr that makes you want' to eat.It's the craving.The cravings make it so you don't feel hguenr because it leads to hguenr.Although, the spray suppresses cravings.(So does warm water, but hey.)

[Karelys]

Please consider inciudlng Food Not Bombs on your website. You might be surprised at how many people we feed. We share vegan and vegetarian meals and provide groceries in hundreds of cities in the United States. We also organized the first food relief in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In 2001 Food Not Bombs was much larger then Food Chain. We have NO paid staff people and have been providing free food since 1980. We are very low key but worth supporting as we not only feed thousands of Americans we show respect for those eating with us and we work to end the causes of hunger. We also provide food to the hungry in many other countries of the world. You most likely have a Food Not Bombs group in your community.Love KeithLiz Reply:June 5th, 2010 at 8:38 pmSend us a pr and we will.