WEEK 12 - "Unlike curing cancer or heart disease, we already know how to beat hunger: food" - Mario Batali

Discussing problems is one thing.  Having an in-depth conversation about those problems while trying to come up with a solution is another...and it is empowering.  This week, I met with a former colleague to look at creating resources for teachers and doctors who are attempting to identify food insecurities amongst families in Champaign County. It is often unidentified, although very widespread.  According to Map the Meal Gap, food insecurity is a condition where a "household has limited or uncertain access to adequate food".  The U.S. Census Bureau's 2011 and 2012 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates state that the child poverty rate in Champaign County is 22%.  That means that nearly 1/4 of the children in our county could struggle with getting adequate food.  To me, that is a real concern.  Not one that I can just sit around and talk about, but one I would love to find a solution.  As stated in many recovery programs, the first step is realizing there is a problem.  Agreed!  We took that approach and we are writing a grant to help train those who see the children (teachers and doctors) identify if a food insecurity is present by noting some critical features.  

If they identify that the child does not have adequate access (availability) to food, they would then direct the child to a healthy and available food source.  One solution is to have a food pantry at the school for the child to take what they need for their family for the day.  Meeting the child's needs quickly and in a real/meaningful way is needed.  Merely letting him know that you have identified their food insecurity and then giving him websites for help is not the best solution.  The children need to be fed when they are hungry.  If they are hungry now, we need to feed them now. 

We will find out if the grant is approved soon...if it is approved, I will write more and share in detail what we will be doing.  :-)