On November 1st, Feeding America launched PACK ‘til They’re BACK, to raise awareness of the problem of child hunger in the United States. Since 2006 Feeding America, through its BackPack Program and network of food banks, has been providing essential meals to more than 230,000 children in need each year.

The Feeding America BackPack Program provides meals to children on weekends and during school vacations. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Feeding America wants to help ensure that kids at risk of hunger have the food they need over the long Thanksgiving weekend; a time that is especially important to families as they gather together across our nation to give thanks.

An important partner in the growth of Feeding America’s efforts is C&S Wholesale Grocers of Keene, New Hampshire. C&S has invested more than $1 million in Feeding America to support national efforts to fight child hunger and build capacity for the BackPack Program.

What is hunger like in your community? To find out, visit the Feeding America website and click on “Map The Meal Gap.” This will bring up a map of the United States where you can ‘mouse over’ your state and your region and it will provide you with the rate of food insecurity for your community, or any other part of the country that you choose.

Did you know that more than 16 million children in the United States live in food insecure households? The BackPack Program of Feeding America provides nutritious meals to children of low income families during times when they are not in school and are at risk of not having enough food to eat. Some BackPack Programs also provide extra food for younger siblings in the home and operate during the summer months.

The problem of food insecurity is not only a moral issue. Scientific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens. Food insecurity and hunger are serious threats to a child’s health, growth, and development.

Together, you and Feeding America can help solve the problem of child hunger in the United States.  Lukewarm Legumes encourages our readers, if you are not involved already, to do all you can to help.

Here are a few suggestions of what you can do:

• Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about child hunger; awareness is a big part of the solution.
• Donate and volunteer at your local food bank. You can find yours by visiting the Feeding America website.
• Start a food drive in your community and donate the proceeds to your local food bank.
• Donate to Feeding America by visiting the Feeding America website. Watch the video and make a pledge. Donations given before November 25 will be matched dollar for dollar by Ameriprise Financial.