Since 2007, family homelessness in the United States has skyrocketed by 20%. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, lack of affordable housing is the most pressing concern for every city and county in America. A family earning the poverty threshold of $24,000 annually cannot afford even a one-bedroom apartment in any jurisdiction in the United States. This ought not to be. This crisis of poverty means that families are faced with a difficult decision each and every month to pay the rent or buy groceries. And in this situation, paying the rent always wins - because it is simply easier to be hungry than homeless.
When families cut back on groceries, children are the first to suffer. Childhood hunger is a SILENT CRISIS that affects every community in our country. U.S. Department of Agriculture's statistics show that there are 22 million children who are FOOD INSECURE, meaning that they lack regular access to nutritious meals. Working poor and homeless families who struggle to make ends meet often feed their children substandard meals that are based on innutritious food items. That seems to be the trend anyway. Without consistent access to nutritious meals, children are put at increased risk for illness and developmental delays. Of course this does not apply to folks who eat junk food out of convenience, for there are some of those I suppose. Many folks in our society try to blame adults and others for these children's situations, and while some blame can surely be cast, the fact is that these children are hungry and suffering through no fault of their own.
Throughout the school year, many children qualify for, and receive, free and reduced breakfast and lunch through school-sponsored meal programs. However, once school is out, these students lose consistent access to nutritious meals.
There are various hunger programs in the United States where volunteers help with feeding the less fortunate. Perhaps someday we all can volunteer somewhere to ease the pain, not to mention contacting your government representatives to remind them about hunger and the lack of affordable housing.
Love ya!
Jane
It is a known fact that the poor have more children than the rich on average. The poor also have a higher percentage of birth defects. Those that advocate "right to life," pose no solution for unwanted children except that they are free to live and prosper. They want to cut any programs of birth control because they are wasteful spending and wrong.
Only government can provide services across the board without limitations. All other profit and nonprofit organizations can't do that. The government must have enough funds to do it. The rich need to loosen their purse strings and pay for what the country needs rather than extravagant spending on themselves and their families.
Ron