For many of us, the holidays bring great feasts – traditions ranging from turkey and gravy to oyster stew to Mom’s infamous Christmas cookies. For many of us, they also make our thoughts turn to those who are not able to celebrate the holidays in the same way. In the weeks surrounding the holidays, hunger has made local, state, and national news. Nationally, Food Stamp usage has dramatically increased across the country. At the state level, we see hungry kids in need of increased access to school breakfast programs. Locally, Lincolnites are working hard to make sure that kids can eat during the winter break from school. Here are just a few of the stories we’ve seen lately:
Lincoln Federal Employees Dedicated to Ending Childhood Hunger in Lincoln – Lincoln Journal-Star
Food Stamp Usage Across the Country – New York Times
Many Kids Skip Free Breakfasts – Omaha World-Herald
Now that the holidays are over, and the new year has begun, we return to our old routines – but with lingering reminders that kids continue to trudge through the snow to school without full stomachs.
Fortunately, Federal Child Nutrition programs will be reauthorized this year. These programs, including School Breakfast, School Lunch, the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, have great potential to increase access to food for hungry kids by providing start up grants, developing afterschool meals programs, and expanding eligibility. To learn more about these programs, and to ask members of the Nebraska delegation to support important reforms, connect to the National Food Research and Action Center. And stay tuned to Nebraska Appleseed as we continue to work to improve Federal Child Nutrition Programs!