Hunger in the athens, georgia community
When most people think of hunger, they think about the rumble in their stomach that comes in between meals that signals they should eat again. What if you couldn't just go to the refrigerator to make a meal? What if you had no food in your pantry and no money to buy food? Now imagine that you are a 10 year old child sitting in a school trying to pay attention to what your teacher is saying. Hunger isn't just a temporary circumstance for children who live in food insecure households; it is a chronic problem that they have to deal with on a daily basis.
According to the Georgia Food Bank Association, 28.3% of children in Georgia live in food insecure households. Within the Athens-Clarke county schools, about 82% of children qualify for free or reduced meals, which gives them the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch at school Monday- Friday. Because the percentage of students in Athens-Clarke county receive free or reduced meals, it is important for educators to understand the impact hunger has on school age students and their families. This page was designed to inform educators and provide resources to involve education of hunger into the classroom. You will also find volunteer opportunities and books that can help you and your students better relate to the issue of hunger. Please take the time to watch the introductory video below and keep in mind that you may have children in your classroom who has to confront the issue of hunger on a daily basis.
According to the Georgia Food Bank Association, 28.3% of children in Georgia live in food insecure households. Within the Athens-Clarke county schools, about 82% of children qualify for free or reduced meals, which gives them the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch at school Monday- Friday. Because the percentage of students in Athens-Clarke county receive free or reduced meals, it is important for educators to understand the impact hunger has on school age students and their families. This page was designed to inform educators and provide resources to involve education of hunger into the classroom. You will also find volunteer opportunities and books that can help you and your students better relate to the issue of hunger. Please take the time to watch the introductory video below and keep in mind that you may have children in your classroom who has to confront the issue of hunger on a daily basis.