The holidays, for many, symbolize celebration and gratitude for the many gifts we receive. These celebrations often come with an abundance of food and special meals to share with family and friends. However, for children and families affected by homelessness and food insecurity, extended breaks from schools can be more difficult or financially burdensome.
November 11-18, 2023 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This week originated in 1975 and is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. This is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participants spend the week hosting educational, service, fundraising, or advocacy events.
Here are some fast facts regarding homelessness and hunger and the impact on students. Additionally, listed are ways to spread awareness, educate and volunteer to combat these disparities within your community.
Fast Facts:
In the United States, 1 in 6 children live in poverty and 1 in 8 children are at risk for hunger.
Black and Latino children are more likely to face hunger than White children because of systemic racism.
The number of homeless children and youth enrolled in school has more than doubled since the early 2000s.
Food-insecure young children are nearly twice as likely to be in fair or poor health when compared to food-secure young children, and significantly more likely to be hospitalized.
Children with food insecurity have a harder time getting along with others, are more likely to repeat a grade in school, and have lower test scores than food-secure children.
Awareness and Volunteer Opportunities:
Connect with your local Food Bank to identify how to best support their cause, either individually or as an organization. For example, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s website offers various ways to give.
As a school district, ensure easy and equitable access to applications for Free and Reduced Lunch and SNAP benefits.
Organize a movie night with homelessness/hunger-related feature films or documentaries. Request that attendees bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Have a local business or group donate popcorn and other refreshments.
Arrange a Community Service Day where students and staff can volunteer at different local organizations such as food pantries, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens.
Talk with local service providers to research what items are most needed in your community, then organize a drive to collect non-perishable goods. Examples may include food, hygiene products, clothing, blankets, books, and toys.
2. Child hunger in America statistics & facts. No Kid Hungry. (n.d.). https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are/hunger-facts
3. Children’s Healthwatch. (n.d.). (rep.). Too Hungry to Learn: Food Insecurity and School Readiness, Part I of II. Retrieved from https://www.childrenshealthwatch.org/wp-contenthttps://filecabinet.eschoolview.com/toohungrytolearn_report.pdf.
4. National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign against Hunger & Homelessness (2015). Resolve to Fight Poverty. Retrieved from https://nationalhomesless.org/wp-contenthttps://filecabinet.eschoolview.com/2015/09/HH-Week-Organzing-Manual-2015.pdf.