The Big Picture

The National Commission on Hunger reported that in 2014, 5.6% of American households reported that at least one member had experienced hunger some time during the past year (2015). Between 2007 and 2010 the amount of households that experienced hunger rose from 4.7% to 5.4% and this figure remained the same throughout the economic recovery (National Commission on Hunger, 2015).

There are many causes for hunger in America besides income and the availability Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). For example, hunger occurred in 25.5% of households living 130% below the poverty line that applied for and received SNAP benefits for one year but in only 10% of the household with the same income that did not receive benefits during the same period (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). This shows that food assistance alone can not solve the problem of hunger because it is caused by other factors besides income alone (National Commission on Hunger, 2015).

Over the last six decades, our economy hav undergone many changes (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). Deindustrialization, automation, and globalization has caused the loss of many manufacturing jobs and a few types of service jobs (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). Because of this, there are less well paying jobs for those who do not further their education beyond high school (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). Those with a high school education or less, have a higher chance of holding jobs that are not well paid and are part-time, unstable, or seasonal (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). There is often little room for advancement when working these types of jobs as well and in many cases they do not offer important benefits such as sick leave or family leave (National Commission on Hunger, 2015). Jobs like this, are connected with income instability which can cause a household to experience hunger (National Commission on Hunger, 2015).

While income instability or lack of income may be a direct cause of hunger, there are many factors that are connected with it such as the loss of manufacturing jobs due to globalization as explained above. Issues like this need to be addressed as well when discussing hunger and while donations and volunteer work may not be enough, they’re a great start. Here at T’s 4 Hope, we aim to spread awareness of hunger homelessness and inspire people to volunteer and help make a difference in someone’s life. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at Ts4Hope@yahoo.com or 954-867-6765.

Reference:

National Commission on Hunger. (2015).