When the Reality of the Hunger Problem Hits Close to Home
I'll never forget joining my oldest daughter for a walkathon to raise money for the elementary school when she was little. As we started walking laps, a little boy gravitated to us and as we walked (ran), he made an offhanded comment about sleeping in his car. I noticed he wasn't wearing very warm clothes and he looked tired. But oh, that personality of his shined through anyway.
I left that day feeling overwhelmed. I know there are many homeless families in the U.S., families that don't have enough resources to put food on the table at every meal. But in our little community?
I wanted to do something. I wanted to help him and reached out to the teacher to see if there was something I could do. Anything. She told me there are a lot of stories like his that will break your heart in our small town.
The boy moved away not long after that walkathon. I don't know where he is today, but I think about him from time to time and it spurs me to action.
I may not be able to help everyone, but I can help some.
As families come together this holiday season, there will be millions unable to put food on their table. Hunger in the U.S. continues to grow, and while it may seem overwhelming to know where to start, consider joining me in giving a ham to your local food bank or charity of choice that helps families in need this holiday season.
Meat is one of the most expensive items to purchase and most needed at many food banks. In an effort to make a difference and help fight food insecurity, the National Pork Producers Council invites you to take part in its annual "Give-A-Ham" campaign. This social media campaign encourages people to donate pork to organizations serving the food insecure and challenge others to follow suit
On Friday, South Dakota pork producer Craig Andersen donated hams to a local food bank and invited Iowa pork producer Rob Brenneman, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, AgDay TV reporter Michelle Rook and I to do the same.
I'm challenging Unity FFA to join me in giving a ham in our community in eastern Illinois. Last year, Unity FFA members challenged other groups in the school and other chapters in the district to give a ham. Before we knew it, two hams became 10. Then 10 became 50 and when it was all said and done, around 20 organizations donated over $1,200 to purchase more than 100 hams for our local food pantry. I'd also like to challenge my colleague and friend, Karen Bohnert, dairy editorial director at Farm Journal.
The Need is Greater Than Ever
Since October, the Consumer Price Index report shows that the food-at-home index has increased more than 12%, reports Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks and food pantries. This index measures price changes at the grocery store. All six major grocery store food group indexes increased over that span, including a nearly 17% increase for uncooked poultry other than chicken, which includes turkey, reports Feeding America.
Because of the higher cost of food this season, Feeding America said it has seen an increase in people relying on food banks to make ends meet. In 2021, more than 53 million people relied on charitable food assistance to help put food on the table. The expectation for 2022 is on trend to repeat or increase in the number of people needing assistance.
“Higher food prices have shocked the budgets of families, seniors and people already struggling to make ends meet. The impact of these higher prices is especially felt with the holidays right around the corner,” Katie Fitzgerald, president and COO of Feeding America, said in a release. “High prices will continue to drive more and more of our neighbors to food banks and food pantries as we enter the winter season. The problem we’ve seen this year is food banks are also struggling with higher food prices as more and more people need their help each month.”
The latest Feeding America food bank pulse survey finds that the majority of member food banks, 60% in all, reported an increase in demand for emergency food assistance in August compared to the previous month. The survey was fielded in September and was completed by 170 out of 200 food banks in the Feeding America nationwide network. Nearly all responding food banks, 90%, reported seeing increased or steady demand for services amid record food price increases.
How can you go spread a little good?
Read about how a food bank in Tolono, Ill., has been making a difference in our community.
Read More:
Fighting Food Insecurity with Football: Here’s What Joe Burrow and Farmers Have in Common
More than Hangry: What’s Really at Stake in Global Food Insecurity?
