When a New Jersey college student said she hadn’t had enough to eat, she pointed out a problem at home that affects some 18 million children across the country.
A third-grader from New Jersey burst into tears in the middle of her virtual class and confessed to teachers and fellow students that she was starving.
“This 9-year-old just couldn’t take it anymore,” said Kim Guadagno, former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey who manages the Fulfill Food Bank.
That heartbreaking moment prompted an entire community to help, including Guadagno.
“This family received not only immediate food, but six months of groceries,” said Guadagno.
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The girl’s mother lost her restaurant job almost a year ago.
“This is happening in your backyard,” said Guadagno.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 40 million people have been living in families where at least one adult is not in paid employment since January.
And the number of American children dealing with food insecurity has doubled from 14% to 28% since 2019, according to Northwestern University and the USDA.
About 80% of families in the Los Angeles school district were living in poverty before the pandemic started. Such food drives can be lifesavers for moms like Sara Swogger.
‘My son has a special education. I’m going to cry, ”Swogger said. “Having to work from home and do his school supplies, it is very difficult.”
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President Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Friday toured a Houston food bank, a place that worked doubly to meet the demands of a pandemic and a weather disaster
Those on the front lines say America’s hunger crisis will be a long battle.
“Our hungry kids look to two or three years – or longer – of distress,” said Guadagno.