Hunger Action Month 2022

Delivering food to pantry clients with DoorDash

Hunger Action Month is a campaign to spread awareness about food insecurity and hunger in the United States. With more than 34 million people  being food insecure, it’s an ongoing and important issue for the country. As we’re about halfway through Hunger Action Month, we thought it would be a good time to write about the state of hunger in Texas and in our service areas. According to Feeding America, over 3.7 million people are facing hunger in Texas, which amounts to about 1 in 8 people in our home state. How many people are in your office? In your child’s classroom? Given that 1 in 8 people face hunger in Texas, how many people might be in your office? How many people at the grocery store? How many of your neighbors? You might know someone who is hungry!

We also know that children are not strangers to the issue of hunger: 1 in 5 children face hunger in Texas, and 53.4% of households receiving SNAP have children. Hunger in children is a particularly detrimental issue. Children who are hungry face learning difficulties, educational setbacks, nutrient deficiencies, and other health issues. 

A client waits in line to receive food through one of our community partners.

Imagine you are back in elementary school, enjoying the fun and adventure that 4th grade brings. Now imagine going to class without breakfast, sitting through the first several hours of class before you can enjoy the lunch provided by school. Would you be able to focus on your schoolwork? Many students facing hunger struggle with focus.

Target Hunger served 16,654 unduplicated individuals in 2021 and distributed 1.35 million meals. Additionally, about 34% of our clients were under the age of 18. As we make our way through the end of Hunger Action Month, these numbers loom large in our heads. Food continues to be a very real need in our community year-round. As long as there is a need, we will be here to serve. We hope you will join us in the fight against hunger by making a donation or signing up to volunteer. You can also spread awareness by sharing this post with your friends and colleagues and following us on social media.

Resources:

https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america

https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/texas#:~:text=In%20Texas%2C%203%2C720%2C710%20people%20are,of%20them%201%2C395%2C890%20are%20children.&text=face%20hunger.,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs.

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