Hunger

Hunger. When you hear that word, you may think of forgetting to pack a snack, or that Jennifer Lawrence movie, or perhaps starving children in third world countries far, far away from here. However, hunger is much closer to home than you might think.

In fact, homelessness is looming right in your backyard. Atlanta has one of the fastest growing poverty rates in the United States. And, unfortunately, the problem is growing unchecked. In a given city, the estimated number of homeless people far exceeds the resources provided to shelter and feed them.

Every day, there are families in our area who struggle to put food on the table. According to the USDA, food security is access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity, on the other hand, means that not everyone in a family can get healthy things to eat all the time.

 As you can see in the map, graph, and statistics below, food insecurity and homelessness are big issues that are alarmingly close to home. Areas with lower income may suffer from hunger more often then yours, but that doesn’t mean the issue is nonexistent. In fact, there could be someone in your class or neighborhood right now who has to deal with hunger on a regular basis.

So, what can you do to help? Hopefully, you’ve made the first step: knowing about the issue. If you want to know more, there are ways for you and your family to get involved with local groups and shelters. For example, MUST is a volunteer-powered organization driven entirely by donations. They have five locations in the Atlanta area, including the Elizabeth Inn. MUST is an organization that is a hand up, not a hand out, providing access to job training and interview clothing in addition to hot meals and temporary housing.

Or, check out one of the websites written below. If you’re interested, there are plenty of ways for you and your family to get involved! We can all make a difference by donating, volunteering, entering codes from specially marked boxes of certain foods, or just spreading the word by telling your friends what you learned today.

www.Mustministries.org

www.Childhungerendshere.com

Feedingamerica.org