Just before COVID closed down the economy we recorded a program on hunger in America, which considering the wealth of our country, is disproportionate. Dallas County ranks among one of the highest food insecure — for children, in the country!
The issue has grown since. In 2018, more than 37 million Americans were food insecure. Now as a result of the pandemic, 1 in 6 Americans faces hunger.
According to the Boston Globe and one of our guest panelists numbers,
As federal anti-hunger efforts pause, Feeding America is projecting that states in the South — Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi — will see the highest rates of food insecurity this year.
More than a fifth of residents in each state is likely to go hungry, with California predicted to having the highest absolute number of people with food insecurity, and Massachusetts will see the most growth in the hunger rate, likely 59 percent.
Feeding America has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone. From March to June of this year, food banks distributed 1.9 billion meals.
Families across America are often one paycheck away from a critical problem, without the resources to pay their rent if a job layoff arises.
More than 11 million children in the U.S. live in food insecure homes. That means they have to worry about their next meal. And what they do eat may not be healthy.
![Screenshot of Zuani Villarreal on the McCuistion Program Hungry In America.](https://perspectivesmatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2612_ZuaniVllarreal-1-300x169.png)
Exacerbating the hunger crisis is a pause in federal assistance and changes in the vendors used under the federal Farmers to Families Food Box program.
Feeding America, has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone.
Joining hosts Dennis McCuistion and Jim Falk are key experts in the food bank services:
Zuani Villarreal,
Director of Communications Feeding America,
Jennifer Collins,
Marketing and Communications Manager, Resource Center, Dallas, and
Valerie Stone Hawthorne, PhD,
Government Relations Director, North Texas Food Bank.
While our guests talk about the problem there are few short-term solutions on the horizon.
We welcome your feedback.
Niki McCuistion, niki@nikimccuistion.com.
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