It may be difficult to believe, but one in every five children in America lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table.

It is called “food insecurity” and it affects 48.8 million Americans, including 16.2 million kids, according to nokidhungry.org.

No child should have to worry about where his or her next meal will come from.

Hungry kids have a higher chance of developing health, behavioral and emotional problems. They also have a more difficult time learning than children operating on a full stomach.

Thankfully, area school districts have summer food programs designed to tackle this problem — at least for one meal a day.

The summer food service program was created to ensure that children in lower-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs.

The best thing about this state-funded program is that any kid can participate as long as they are either (A) 18 or younger or (B) enrolled in an education program for the mentally or physically disabled.

There are programs all over the Niles and Buchanan areas sponsored by Brandywine Community Schools, Buchanan Community Schools and Niles Community Schools.

The people who run the program say that while a lot of kids use it, there are many more who don’t.

Why is this the case?

One food service director said many people don’t realize that they can attend a summer lunch program even if their child does not live in the area in which the program is being offered.

It really is open to all kids.

You don’t even need to bring an ID card.

The program is voluntary, so it is great to see our area schools participating.

After all, no one wants to see a child go hungry.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.