When a student from New Jersey said she did not have enough to eat, she highlighted a problem at home that affects about 18 million children nationwide.
In the middle of her virtual class, a third class of New Jersey burst into tears and confessed to teachers and fellow students that she was starving.
“This 9-year-old just couldn’t stand it anymore,” said Kim Guadagno, former governor of New Jersey who runs the Fulfill Food Bank.
That heartbreaking moment helped a whole community, including Guadagno.
“This family has been offering not only instant food but also groceries for six months,” Guadagno said.
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The girl’s mother lost her restaurant job almost a year ago.
“It’s happening in your backyard,” Guadagno said.
In January, 40 million people lived in a family where at least one adult did not pay for work, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
And the number of U.S. children facing food safety has doubled from 14% to 28% since 2019, according to Northwestern University and the USDA.
About 80% of the families in Los Angeles’ school district were in poverty before the pandemic began. Food rides like these can be life-saving for mothers like Sara Swogger.
“My son is in special training. I’m going to cry,” Swogger said. “It’s very difficult to work from home and do his schoolwork.”
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President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden toured a food bank in Houston on Friday, a place that works doubly to meet the demands of a pandemic en a weather disaster.
Those on the front lines say America’s hunger crisis will be a long battle.
“Our hungry children are looking at two or three years – or longer – of need,” Guadagno said.