Hunger in AmericaBy: Joe Mabry

HungerHunger is the uneasy or painful sensation

caused by want of food or the want or scarcity of food in a country.

Food InsecurityThe percentage of children under the age of

18 living in households that experience limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods at some point during the year.

The national average for household food insecurity rate is 14.7%.

North Carolina’s household food insecurity rate is 17.1%.

MythsMost who are hungry are homeless.Hungry children are in families where no one

works.Plenty of food is available at soup kitchens.School food programs cover a lot of the

problem.

Causes of HungerThe leading cause of hunger is poverty.

16.1% of North Carolina is below the poverty level.

http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/tools-for-advocates/guides/federal-poverty-guidelines.html

Low wagesUnemployment.North Carolina has a 10.5% unemployment

rate.

Statistics1 out of 6 people in America go hungry.14.5% of households struggle putting enough

food on the table regularly.This is 48 million Americans, which includes

16.2 million children.More than 1 in 5 children are at risk of

hunger.African-Americans or Hispanic children have

a rate of 1 in 3 to go hungry.

Hunger in NCNorth Carolina has a population of 9,752,073

people.Children under 5 make up 6.5% of North

Carolina’s population. 24% of these children are hungry.

Children under 18 years old, make up 23.7% of the state’s population. 1 out of these 5 are hungry.

Effects on StudentsInability to focusOften sickHospitalization is more frequentHave significantly higher levels of behavioral,

emotional and academic problemsHigher levels of aggressionMore likely to be suspended from school

Programs to Combat HungerSNAPWICNational School Lunch Program (Free and

Reduced Lunch)http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/

Rankings.aspx?state=NC&loct=10&by=a&order=a&ind=2239&dtm=4682&tf=1021

National School Breakfast ProgramSummer Meal Programs

Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility

What Can Teachers Do?Food Drives for Local Food PantriesFundraisers to Donate Money to

OrganizationsSnacksBackpack Programs

SourcesData Center, Kids Count. “North Carolina Free

and Reduced Lunch Rates.” April 22, 2013http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/Rankings.aspx?state=NC&loct=10&by=a&or

der=a&ind=2239&dtm=4682&tf=1021Do Something.Org. “11 Facts About Hunger in

the U.S.” April 22, 2013. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-hunger-us

Feeding America. “Hunger and Poverty Statistics.” April 22, 2013. http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx

Sources Cont.The Food Effect. “All About Hunger.” April 22,

2013. http://www.thefoodeffect.org/all-about-hunger/hunger-myths/

Hunger Notes. “2012 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics.” April 22, 2013 http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm

Statistic Brain. “Free and Reduced Lunch Statistics.” April 22, 2013. http://www.statisticbrain.com/free-and-reduced-lunch-statistics/

Sources Cont.No Kid Hungry. “Hunger Facts.” April 22, 2013.

http://www.nokidhungry.org/problem/hunger-facts “United States Demographics, Poverty and Food Insecurity.” April 22, 2013.

http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/us.pdf United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services. “Income

Eligibility Guidelines: School Lunch and Breakfast.” April 22, 2013 http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/notices/iegs/iegs.htm

United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services. “Income Eligibility Guidelines: SNAP.” April 22, 2013. http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services. “Women, Infants, and Children.” April 22, 2013. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services. “How To Apply.” April 22, 2013. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm

U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau. “State and County QuickFacts.” April 22, 2013. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37000.html