For families across the United States, food insecurity is a crisis. With growing inflation, buying food is more expensive, even with government assistance. This crisis impacts 467,550 people in Arkansas. Of those people, 134,690 are children. When parents have proper access to food, this is when they are able to truly provide for their children.

For both adults and children, lack of access to food leads to long term health problems. In a study by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, research found that hunger is also linked to chronic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In children, hunger related health issues include asthma, anemia, hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression. When families have access to food, this can decrease their chances for developing prolonged health issues.

Although families living in poverty have government assistance such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), this does not mean it is easy or accessible to get to a grocery store, or that they have the tools to make healthy, nutritious decisions for their families. Many counties in Arkansas are considered a food desert. This means residents in a community must travel more than one mile in an urban setting or more than 10 miles in a rural setting to obtain fresh, nutritious food. In fact, 82% of Arkansas counties have one or more communities that need improved access to food. For elderly people, this is where obtaining food can be difficult. Lack of transportation, especially in rural areas, can prevent people from having access to food.

To help end the hunger crisis, it is important that families have opportunities. This is where feeding programs come into play. Providing kids with meals that meet nutritional requirements ensures that they are adequately fed so they can take on school full and healthy. Free and reduced lunch programs and food banks can help suppress these issues for children throughout the school year. For adults, food banks and farmers markets ensure healthy, nutritious foods are readily accessible to families.

Every Arkansan sees the impact of the hunger crisis every day. To help end the childhood hunger problem in the state, Every Arkansan seeks to provide meals for hungry kids. Since 2009, Every Arkansan has provided 2.97 million meals to kids all over Central Arkansas. There is still work to be done though. To donate and ensure hungry children are fed, visit https://www.everyarkansan.org/gift/food. Your gift will help Arkansas end the hunger gap for the 134,690 children.

467,550 Arkansans face food insecurity. Of those people, 134,690 are children.