By: Kimberly Montez, MD, MPH, FAAP & Kofi Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP
Fall and winter are a time we celebrate bounty. But for millions of kids living in the U.S., there isn't plenty to go around at mealtime. Consider that:
1 in 5 children in the U.S. don't get enough to eat on a regular basis.
Hunger can harm a child's growth and worsen risks of illnesses including
asthma and
anemia.
Grades and test scores can drop, dimming a child's motivation and chance for future school success.
Food insecurity in America: who goes hungry?
It's easy to assume that food insecurity—when people don't have steady access to enough food—does not happen in all cities, towns or parts of the country. But the anti-hunger nonprofit Feeding America reports that
100% of U.S. counties have residents who regularly go hungry, including almost 14 million kids.
Children might not get enough to eat when:
Parents lose their jobs or earn too little to cover grocery costs
Losses like death, divorce or separation cause sudden income loss
Natural disasters like wildfires or hurricanes destroy homes, schools and stores
School is out during summertime, school breaks and severe weather conditions
Rising costs for rent, utility, child care and more slice into the food budget
Government programs provide lower benefits or families don't qualify
We can't ignore
discrimination as a factor in childhood hunger. Studies show that Latino and Black families face higher risks for food insecurity than people from other races and ethnic groups.
Childhood hunger: how your family can make a difference
Fighting hunger is a huge task. But every family with enough to eat can consider helping other neighbors who may need a hand.
Sometimes it's as simple as remembering just how close we are to
experiencing hunger. Almost half of U.S. adults say they couldn't cover a $1,000 emergency expense, showing how a single problem could lead to hunger.
Giving to others feeds us, too.
Volunteering time and resources, inviting a friend to join for dinner, donating food to important local organizations can feed both the body and spirit. It supports your child's
emotional health which, over time, makes a positive difference in their total well-being. Kids who are active in their community tend to do better in school and find it easier to stay out of trouble, for example. They're also less likely to experience depression.
Taking action to fight hunger fosters kindness and serves as a reminder that food connects us. It's a way to engage, show care, deepen friendships and express belonging.
Ways to get involved in your community
Looking out for friends, family and neighbors is a good start. Here are more suggestions for fighting hunger in your area while nourishing a sense of community.
Food drives
Local chapters of the
Salvation Army and other nonprofits regularly call for donations of non-perishable foods like rice, pasta, canned fish or meats, beans, vegetables and fruits. Grocery stores, schools, and other groups host food drives too. Ask your child to help clear out the pantry and fill a few bags to drop off. You might even let them pick a favorite food at the store that another child might enjoy eating.
Community kitchens
Many families spend a few hours each month cooking and serving meals for others. It's a great way to sharpen your child's kitchen skills while they learn about giving back. During the holidays, community centers need more help than ever, offering many chances to get involved.
Garden-and-give programs
Whether you grow tomatoes in pots or harvest bushels of vegetables and fruits from local farms, a
gift of garden-fresh produce fuels your community's health. Fresh foods can be hard for food pantries and kitchens to get, so these donations are especially welcome.
Raising money or volunteering
Many communities have drop-in centers where low-income residents can receive free groceries. Your child might enjoy raising money to pay food bank staff, buy equipment and keep shelves stocked. Kids and teens can collect donations from friends and neighbors, run online campaigns through fundraising platforms or ask family members for gifts. Seeing how donations add up and sharing them with anti-hunger charities can be exciting and rewarding.
Food banks and other local anti-hunger programs also welcome volunteers. Families can donate time to sort and package food, for example, or help tend community gardens that help stock shelves.
Advocating for change
Families can also help fight hunger by raising awareness. Partner with advocacy groups like the Food Research & Action Center to support policies that make healthy food more accessible. Older kids can write letters to legislators or opinion pieces for local media.
Consider taking the SNAP Challenge to better understand what families who receive food assistance face. Ask your kids to help fill a grocery cart using the average SNAP benefit. It’s a great way to practice math—and an even better way to teach empathy.
Here are
more ways your family can get involved in anti-hunger programs.
Pair giving with learning that offers new perspectives
While you're exploring ways to help families that need food, talk with your child about why this issue matters. Shape the conversation around their age and stage of development.
No Kid Hungry, an ongoing campaign to end childhood hunger, offers these suggestions.
Ages 4 to 6
Address any worries your child might feel. "It's okay to feel sad about kids going hungry. I feel that way, too." Use words and ideas they can easily grasp. For example, ask them about the tired, cranky feelings they may have when they're hungry. This can help them see why all children need healthy food to feel and do their best.
Ages 7 to 12
Elementary school kids may know a little about hunger. Ask if they have discussed it in school or seen examples in books, movies or shows. This can open the door to a broader conversation. Explain the idea of
stigma, which means a mark of shame we might mistakenly make people feel. Use an example, such as a child who gets free lunch but worries that other kids will judge them. Pointing out that all of us need help sometimes can encourage empathy and respect.
Ages 13+
Encourage teens to consider all sides of the subject. Young people are often passionate about solving the social injustices they see. Help your teen harness that energy by discussing the underlying causes, possible solutions and leading or participating in angi-hunger efforts. Admit you don't know everything, but you want to explore what might make a healthy difference where you live—and around the world.
More information
About Dr. Montez
 Kimberly Montez, MD, MPH, FAAP, is an Associate Professor of General Academic Pediatrics and Social Sciences & Health Policy at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. As a health services researcher and child health advocate, Dr. Montez has expertise in the social drivers of health, including food insecurity. She is a co-author for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Food Research & Action Center Food Insecurity Toolkit for Pediatricians. Dr. Montez serves as an official spokesperson for the AAP and as an associate editor for the journal,
Pediatrics.
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About Dr. Essel
 Kofi D. Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a community pediatrician at Children's National Hospital (CNH) and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University (GWU) School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. Dr. Essel has dedicated his career to advocacy/research around health care and public health workforce training, health disparities, and community engagement, with expertise and national recognition in the areas of addressing diet-related chronic disease and food insecurity with patients and families. He is a co-author of the AAP and Food Research & Action Center Food Insecurity Toolkit for Pediatricians and a member of the AAP Section on Obesity Executive Committee.
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