Two out of 10 Minnesota families face food insecurity. This is not just the State of Minnesota's issue; it has become a national concern since 1 in 6 people in America also face hunger.
The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2011, households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children: 20.6 percent vs. 12.2 percent.
Being hungry means living below the poverty line and the more complex issue is the access to food when one is hungry.
In Minnesota, 20 percent of the families go hungry but are ashamed to say so or ask help like the 90-year old man helped by a police cop by buying the old man a bag of groceries and even light bulbs in his dilapidated home. The good thing about this encounter is there's a Minneapolis police officer that cared enough and even went on in contacting Meals on Wheels to ensure that the old man will never get hungry again. But how about the other families that belong to the 20 percent who are also hungry and ashamed to beg for food? Will they just go hungry each day because of their pride? Of course, it's human dignity that you don't want to beg, that's totally understandable.
There are lots of organizations that help feed the hungry in Minnesota. There's No Kid Hungry, Meals on Wheels and many more. Meals on Wheels offers meals, transportation, caregiver support and other services for seniors-resources they want to make sure are utilized by those who need them. The organization explained that it has enough food for the hungry that's why citizens are encouraged to have their meals and not have the mindset that they are taking it away from those who need it more.
Food hunger is real and there are many ways to fight it.
