PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – People are going to bed hungry every night. Children are waking up in millions of U.S. homes without access to nutritious food. It’s a frightening reality for those families facing hunger.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2018, more than 11 million U.S. households were food insecure. This number dates from before the coronavirus pandemic. Today, according to No Kid Hungry, a national campaign created to address problems of hunger and poverty, projections show that 18 million kids could face hunger this year.
In South Florida, nearly 25 percent of school age children are food insecure. This means they do not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable nutritious food.
WPLG-Local 10 and Publix Super Markets are teaming up to address this growing crisis. Through Food For Thought, we are raising awareness about the plight of hunger affecting our schools, neighborhoods and communities.
Food insecurity can have a wide impact. Some of the most common effects of food insecurity among children include serious health complications, the inability to learn and grow and behavioral issues.
If you’d like to find out more or get involved, the list below connects you with some local nonprofits that offer programs to combat hunger and serve children in our community.
Feeding South Florida
954-518-1818
Joshua’s Heart Foundation
305-944-4452
Miami-Dade Office of Community Engagement
305-995-1367
As part of Food For Thought, beginning in September, Local 10 and Publix Super Markets will engage in outreach projects across South Florida. Stay tuned!
