Hunger deprives our kids of more than just food
Hunger deprives our kids of more than just food
It’s a simple fact: A child’s chance for a bright tomorrow starts with getting enough food to eat today. But in America, 1 in 6 children may not know where they will get their next meal. For the more than 12 million kids in the U.S. facing hunger, getting the energy they need to learn, and grow can be a daily challenge.
We have a responsibility to the next generation to give them every opportunity to succeed — which in turn will strengthen our communities and our country. That’s why feeding children facing hunger is a priority for the Food Bank Council of Michigan and its members.
Prime indicators such as attendance of pre-K, impact how many students reach reading level and this tells is a predictor of graduation rates vs the % of dropouts for high school. All these indicators are fueled by the child’s access to healthy nutritious foods.
Food security in a child’s life will impact their education outcomes including attendance and behavior as well as their long-term health outcomes. By creating a FOOD FIRST culture across our state we will ensure our communities will be set up for success as well as our country.
We want employers, MEDC, and the Department of Labor to hear us on this - workforce development for Michigan starts with creating food security now for this current generation of children. This is an investment in our future, in our businesses and the future of MI – it is NOT charity.
This week’s guest on Food First Michigan understands that investing in children is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Collin McDonough, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, is helping organize the efforts around School Meals for All.