A Committment to Ending Childhood Hunger

A hungry child today, needs food today!

It is well documented that the lack of an appropriate level of household income is the most reliable indicator of childhood hunger. The correlation between poverty and hunger is indisputable -- the lower a family’s income, the less money available for food. Similar correlations exist between the impact of a child’s nutritional well-being and the ability to learn, participate in physical activities, and behave appropriately in structured environments. Research indicates that even mild under-nutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth may lead to reduction in physical growth and affect brain development.  In Northern Illinois Food Bank’s service area, 126,625 children live in poverty and 239,120 children are at-risk to hunger.

Twelve years ago Northern Illinois Food Bank launched its first Child Nutrition Program by providing lunches during the summer to low-income children. Today, the Food Bank, with charitable gifts and federal child nutrition funds, executes a year-round, multi-faceted approach to addressing childhood hunger providing as many as 5,000 children a day a nourishing meal.

The goal for NIFB’s Child Nutrition Programs is to provide low-income children with nutritious food so they can develop healthy bodies and minds.  Partnering with more than 110 youth enrichment programs including schools, churches,  neighborhood resource centers, parks, Boys and Girls Clubs, Y’s and others, more than 1.2 million meals were provided to children in the last year. Additionally, children come to the neighborhood programs to receive food, but they also benefit from being in a safe environment for exercise, social interactions, and learning experiences. 

To view a summary of last year's work in the area of child nutrition, click here.

 
To learn more about issues related to childhood hunger, click here.