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Pablo Carranza

Jason Peters

ENGL 133

November 9th, 2017

Hunger Crisis

Many people in the United States suffer from hunger. According to the organization

named Feeding America, 42.2 million Americans live in food insecure households. What really

shocked me about this fact was that of the 42.2 million, 13.1 million were young children under

the age of 18. I didnt know that the food crisis in the United States was that bad. In an article

posted by National Geographic Magazine, I found out that in 2010 the Los Angeles County was

the highest participant in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as

Food Stamps) with over 900,000 recipients. I was really impacted on the fact that I didnt fully

realize how food insecure my community is. National Geographic Magazine also included a

chart on their site that included ten sources of calories for low income individuals and I was

very surprised to see my favorite food, tacos, placed fifth on that list. I also learned from

Feeding America that one in six people are a part of the hunger crisis. This can cause anorexia,

type two diabetes, obesity, and other terrible health diseases to occur. Most children may also

suffer from weaker bodies or even stunting due to not being able to get enough nutrients from

what they eat. Not being well nourished can cause unproductiveness and/or lack well-being

and even if it is severe enough it can cause mental retardation. Pregnant women who suffer

from malnourishment around the world give birth to smaller babies, get sick more often, die at
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a younger age, and in most areas, that have chronic hunger rates, infant mortality rates are also

very high. Research shows that in areas where child mortality rates are high infant birth rates

are also unfortunately also high.

There are many food banks set up in various cities across the United States that were

implemented to provide food for the homeless and the less fortunate. People can support

these food banks by donating money, their time (volunteering), and by donating canned goods

or other various foods that can be sent to hungry people across the country. I found five food

banks that were near my area. Four of them were just normal food banks, the other was a

church that hosts food drives regularly and was a contributor to local families in need. Out of

the five places I researched the one that stood out the most was the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

This place had the best overall ratings on google and its facilities look very clean. While on their

website I found out that they have been hard at work, to do their part for the estimated 1.4

million people in need for the Los Angeles County, for 43 years.

One way that we can help resolve this issue is by opening more food banks near poverty

stricken communities. Another idea I came up with is making healthy food more affordable

than fast food. That can be tricky but Im sure that in some way or form it can be done.

During my research, I learned that the donation of food to the needy is a vital part of

their nutrition. This was more than just a learning experience, it has made me want to become

more involved with the necessities of my beloved community, and America. The twenty first

century has more than a handful of problems for us millennials, and hunger is quite possibly

going to be the biggest one that were going to have to solve. I am sure that with everyone
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doing their part and with more government assistance hunger in America will become an issue

of the past, and America will be great again.

Ch.9 portfolio keeping

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Citations

"10 Ways to Stop World Hunger." The Borgen Project. N.p., 21 Mar. 2017. Web.

"Know Your World: Facts About World Hunger & Poverty." The Hunger Project. N.p., n.d. Web.

"World Hunger Facts." Freedom from Hunger. N.p., 19 Feb. 2013. Web.

Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics. Feeding America N.p., n.d. Web.

The New Face Of Hunger. GeograNationalphic Magazine Tracie McMillan. N.d. Web.