Food for the Holidays An informational powerpoint/slideshow

The Holidays ¡  For most, the holidays are a time of cheer where

food and gifts are at every turn.

The Holidays

¡  For many however, the holidays are a time of additional stress and worrying about where their next meal might come from.

The Effects of Hunger are Widespread

¡  The USDA defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways”

¡  In the U.S. alone: ¡  48.1 million Americans live in food

insecure households ¡  32.8 million adults and 15.3 million

children

¡  One Sixth of Americans don’t know where their next meal is coming from and subsequently often do not have enough to eat

Effects of Food Insecurity

•  When people have a low income, they have to decide how to budget their money.

•  Often, it is easier to go to a fast food restaurant than to budget money to shop at a grocery store.

•  You may not be able to tell who doesn’t have enough food just by looking at them.

What does the average hungry person look like? ¡  The majority of hungry households are white

¡  Households with children report higher levels of food insecurity, especially households headed by single parents

¡ Working families: Over 60% of hungry households with children have at least one parent in the workforce (usually in a full time job).

¡  Suburban hunger is on the rise with more and more traditionally well-off families facing hunger

But you can help!

Resources

¡  Feeding America: ¡  https://youtu.be/zx2o2huVm2o

¡  Redwood Empire Food Bank in Sonoma County ¡  Attempting to end food insecurity

through hunger relief initiatives ¡  Every Child Every Day ¡  Senior Security ¡  Neighborhood Hunger Network

¡ Many local grocery stores hold food drives during the holidays, please donate food to the boxes located outside the entrances.

References

¡  http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/hunger-and-poverty/hunger-and-poverty-fact-sheet.html

¡  http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement.aspx

¡  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/food-shorts/ten-dollar-dinner/

¡  http://www.refb.org/html/hunger_initiative.html

¡  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/hunger/