Childhood Hunger in America

Hunger deprives our kids of more than just food

It’s a simple fact: A child’s chance for a bright tomorrow starts with getting enough food to eat today. Locally, almost 10,000 children, an estimated 1 in 10 will go to bed hungry tonight. Here are the child food insecurity rates for the area we serve:

• Caroline County - 13.6%
• City of Fredericksburg - 15.8%
• King George County - 8.9%
• Spotsylvania County - 10.3%
• Stafford County - 7.6%
• Orange County - 13.7%

Today is National Child Health Day and there is no question that food insecurity greatly impacts a child physically, mentally, and emotionally. Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development in young children; risk of chronic illnesses like asthma and anemia; and behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiety, and aggression in school-age children.

We invite you to watch this short video about Zoey, a little girl in Louisiana whose family is facing food insecurity.