I grew up on food stamps and often went hungry as a child.
My Story: Growing Up with Food Insecurity
When I was a child, food wasn’t something we could count on. My family lived on food stamps, and even then, there were times when the pantry shelves were empty. I remember the hollow ache in my stomach and the shame that came with standing in line at the grocery store, hoping the food stamps would cover enough to last the month.
There were nights when I went to bed hungry—not because I didn’t want to eat, but because there simply wasn’t enough. That kind of hunger never really leaves you. It shapes how you see the world.
Understanding Food Insecurity In America
Food insecurity means not having consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It’s not just about missing meals—it’s about the constant worry, the tough choices and the quiet struggle behind closed doors.
According to 2023 data I could find, 47.4 million Americans lived in food-insecure households, with 13.8 million of them being children. That means in nearly every community across this country, there are families struggling to put dinner on the table.
Children who experience hunger face more than just empty stomachs. Hunger affects their ability to concentrate, learn, and grow. It impacts their health, their confidence, and their future. And no child should ever have to face that.
Why This Issue Still Matters to Me
When I see stories about food insecurity today, or the fact that SNAP benefits will be cut off November 1, 2025 due to the government shutdown. I see my younger self. I hate that in 2025 there are kids going to school and going to bed hungry.
Because food insecurity isn’t just a statistic—it’s real families, real kids, real pain. It’s people doing the best they can with what they have, often feeling invisible or ashamed to ask for help.
How We Can Help End Hunger
You don’t have to have lived through it to make a difference. Here are a few simple ways we can all help fight food insecurity in our communities:
*Donate to local food banks. Even a small contribution can feed a family for. A few days.
*Support school meal programs. Many children rely on these meals as their main source of nutrition.
*Volunteer your time. Community kitchens and food drives always need helping hands.
*Speak Up. Use your voice to raise awareness about hunger and the importance of access to nutritious food.
No act of kindness is too small. Every can of food, every hour volunteered, and every dollar donated help ease the burden of hunger for someone who desperately needs it.
A Final Thought
I share my story because I know how it feels to go hungry—and I don’t want any child to ever feel that way again. Food insecurity may be a tough subject, but it’s one we must keep talking about.
When we lift each other up, when we feed our neighbors and care for our communities, we create a future where no child has to go to bed hungry. And that’s a future worth fighting for.
GenXGigi2 