We often overestimate how bad things are in the world and underestimate how much progress has been made. One hungry child is one too many, but the number of hungry kids in America get closer to zero with each passing day. We have further to go, but it’s important to remember that it’s better than it has been.
Recent findings from the Annie E Casey Foundation show that the nation’s child poverty rate dropped from a peak of 23 percent in 2011 to 19 percent in 2016. That’s nearly 2.3 million fewer children living in poverty.
There is hope in that progress, but there is still more to be done to give kids the America they deserve.
We’re in the middle of the hungriest season for many kids who rely on school meals. But summer meals sites are set up across the country where children 18 and under can get a free meal - no registration or ID required.
The problem is that many families don’t know about the service. Spread the word: anyone can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to find their nearest summer meals site. And you can join hundreds of others and donate a tweet on July 12.
In the America kids deserve, there is no hungry season. While we inch closer to that, there is still a lot to be done. Let’s get to work.
