According to Feeding America, more than 42 million people in the United States may experience food insecurity as a result of COVID-19’s global disruption. Of this number, it’s estimated that 13 million of those effected account for children. In addition – like anything else tearing at the seams – families who’d already been experiencing financial hardship before the influence of COVID-19 have been more likely to feel immediate economic stress. The presence of food scarcity in a child’s community and/or household inevitably brings far more detrimental consequences than meets the eye. Repeating elementary grades, experiencing developmental impairments – including language and motor skills – and having more social and behavioral problems are just some of the potential negative impacts occurring in 1 in 6 children in America. In fact, school breakfast and lunch are known to be incredibly vital to students unable to have daily nutritious meals at home, with afterschool and summer meal programs now becoming the norm.

In an effort to help cease the burden of hunger once and for all, Hunger Action Month was created by Feeding America in 2018 to aid those in need across the nation. While September is a time for focused awareness, September 17th specifically marks Hunger Action Day where people are encouraged to wear the color orange, turn city landmarks orange, and ultimately help raise each other’s voices in solidarity with the millions suffering.

“Food shouldn’t be an impossible choice,” the organization highlights, as it reminds us all of the bleak reality that many face when having to choose between necessities like medicine, electricity, or childcare with food. Feeding America inspires us all to take action by learning, committing, and speaking up against hunger.

At EverDriven, we never back down from an opportunity to help serve those in need. Some of the very students we serve also experience food hardship – including those of MKV and homeless populations. That’s why getting them to school safely and efficiently so that they can have access to healthy meals is something we are passionate about. So, in the spirit of Hunger Action Month, we encourage you and those you know to find ways to volunteer, help neighbors, pledge, and more to support the effort towards ending hunger in communities today.