Hear the Crunch

This is National School Breakfast Week.  People differ on whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when food is scarce, every meal counts enormously.  Children who do not have enough nutritious food to eat can’t learn or test well.  Their families need to make very difficult decisions about whether to spend their limited resources on food, medication, housing, electricity… and other essentials. 

Children who receive school meals can perform better and are less likely to be absent or late for school.  In the long run, they show fewer signs of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, anxiety and are less likely to use cigarettes or alcohol.  

Food insecurity refers to people either not being able to purchase food that they need, or being concerned at times that food will run out before they can afford more.  It has increased in Maryland over the past few years.  Many people are in this situation who have never been here before and never thought they would be.

The new work requirements that need to be met for families to get food assistance through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) will affect about 80,000 households in Maryland – including veterans, those experiencing homelessness,  former foster youth, caregivers of family members, adults in the 54-64 year old category who may have difficulty finding employment, and many households with children.  When children qualify for SNAP, in some school districts it automatically qualifies them for free school meals.  So cutting SNAP will also make it more difficult to get free school meals.  Our vulnerable kids and adults need our help.

In addition to impacting nutrition, these cuts also affect the overall economy, since the retailers who accept SNAP dollars earned over 2 billion dollars in 2023, and in turn strengthened our economy by paying taxes and wages.  

This Thursday, 3/5/26, is Hear the Crunch Day.  Use the link and show support for hunger solutions in schools by using a fun virtual background and posting a photo or video of an apple (or other crunchable) on social media on Thursday supporting nutrition for all children.    Tag it with  #HearTheCrunch and #MarylandHungerSolutions. 

When we’re feeling stressed, one proven reliever is giving to others.  If you are able to help those with food insecurity, local organizations where you can feel good about donating food, money or time include: www.mannafood.org,www.theupcountyhub.org, and www.sowhatelse.org.

#HearTheCrunch #MarylandHungerSolutions #NutritionMatters