Speech - Jasa Harris

16 million. That’s the number of children who woke up this morning wondering if they would get breakfast, lunch or dinner. Not just for today, but for tomorrow, and the day after and the day after and the day after that. 16 million is the number of children that are food insecure in the most prosperous nation in the world. These food insecure children don’t have access to the necessary amount of food for a healthy life.  And despite the 16 million food insecure children in the United States several still choose to ignore the problem, that in a land of plenty, several  go without. The United States produces enough food to feed every single one of its citizens; it embodies “a land of plenty”. Yet these children are often overlooked as we focus on the starving children overseas and only think of the obesity issue here at home. We look over the 16 million children that should have access to the surplus of food in the United States, causing these children to be forgotten and invisible. This issue of food insecurity is completely preventable so long as we can promote change in our own cities and reveal the reality of the problem to the public.

“They are not my problem, their families should provide for them.” This is exactly how many people feel towards the families that cannot afford to feed their children every night. They feel as though, “it’s not my problem”, but in all actuality, it’s everyone’s problem. The lack of food causes children to have poorer health and limited social, emotional and cognitive development. According to a number of studies food insecurity is associated with high rates of behavioral problems, depressive disorders and anxiety. As well as more physical symptoms that include stomach aches, migraines and colds (Zaslow, M., Bronte-Tinkew, J., Capps, R., Horowitz, A., Moore, K. A., & Weinstein, D). All of these factors are estimated to amount to 167 billion dollars spent annually on the food insecure. These estimates include the money it takes to provide health care and compensate for the food insecure and their lack of productivity in society. This is a huge price to pay, for them as well as you. They suffer through hungry nights and headaches and you suffer with the burden of their cost, now making it your problem. However, by taking action now we can help provide the necessary nourishment to these children, while they’re still young, so they are able to gain more through their education and in turn become more prominent and productive members of our society. But if we continue to ignore their needs, we’ll continue to pay for this problem.   

Food insecurity is at an all-time high, but the programs designed to help promote food security are being taken away from the families that rely on it most. Marianna Chilton, a professor at Drexel University and founder of the Witness to hunger program realizes this travesty and hopes to correct it, but that can only be done with the help of the public and a different mindset toward the food insecure. Firstly, they are not moochers, according to the USDA, 85% of food insecure households have at least one working parent (Chilton). And still that does not provide them with enough food. Secondly, the majority do not like to be on food stamps, they say they participate in the programs “to protect their families.” As anyone in their position would do.  And lastly, millions of families are still struggling as they are ineligible to receive these SNAP benefits or they have just recently had to deal with the cuts to the SNAP benefits program. That is why it is even more important and necessary that we take action in other emergency programs that can provide food to the ones who are struggling to attain it. Across the nation are several food banks that are always accepting donations of healthy foods. Bonita, a witness to hunger and mother of 5 understands the importance of these food banks to help support her family when she can’t. She was able to rely on the graciousness of her community to help her in times of need. And though she only relies on the food banks as a last resort, she is just grateful they are available and provide her children with food.

Food is a basic necessity for any child. We remind children constantly that you cannot live without food. So why then are the millions of children who go without food ignored? Their limited access to any sort of nourishment is problematic and affects not only them, but you as well. That is why we all should shoulder the responsibility for providing for these children. Having access to the necessary amount of food is not merely a privilege, having a meal waiting for you at the end of your night is not simply a luxury, it is a human right. Providing for the 16 million children who go without food should be no obstacle in this land of plenty, yet it seems it is. Providing everyone with their basic human rights is a goal in America and a goal that we should strive for. No longer should we hear the rumbling of hungry children’s stomachs as they wonder when they we will finally be seen and noticed. We can help fight against the food insecure children who deserve the same human rights as everyone with increased public awareness and a sense of responsibility that we all take on. A food secure nation is attainable. And as we work towards this goal we’ll combat hunger, create a stronger nation, and provide a plate for every food insecure child. All 16 million of them.