Childhood Hunger and Global Awareness

by Abigail Knowles Wolfe (BPRW)

Global Child Nutrition Month will be honored throughout the month of April, 2008 as the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and national School Nutrition Association (SNA) team up to raise awareness about the depredation of hunger amongst children around the globe and here in the United States. Both the GCNF and SNA are encouraging school nutrition professionals to take a day, week or even the entire month of April to work with students and teachers to raise funds to help fight global hunger. Students across the nation will contribute to the cause, donating nickels, dimes, quarters and even dollar bills, adding up to what may equal several meals for hungry children worldwide.

A recent report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released September 13th, 2007 states that child deaths worldwide from 2005 – 2006 dropped below 10 million annually; a record low. The same statistic in 1990, citing deaths of children under the age of 5, put the number closer to 13 million. Poverty exists in the world, not for lack of technology and medical innovation, but for a lack of equity in the distribution of life sustaining resources. Child health and nutrition are vital to the survival of many of the world’s poorest children.

Harrowing statistics provided by the World Bank state that an average of 30,000 children under the age of 5 die of poverty each day. That is approximately 210,000 children each week. These children do not have access to potable water, nutritious food, vaccines, mosquito netting and other very simple things that would ensure their livelihood.

During Global Child Nutrition Month, funds raised at schools across the nation will support local and international hunger organizations in sustaining school feeding programs and ensuring that children are both able to attend school and receive meals at school. Children cannot feed their minds without first nourishing their bodies therefore awareness of global hunger should be at the forefront of children and adult’s minds alike this April.