The government should be ashamed that it does not have a comprehensive plan or policy initiative to conclusively deal with child hunger in the 21 st century. Child hunger is a problem facing children from low socioeconomic conditions. Although America is the most developed country globally, approximately 14 million children emanate from low-income families (Wight & Thampi, 2010). A close relationship exists between family income and the health and wellbeing of children. Food insecurity remains a significant problem for many American children across the states. Child hunger is not an isolated issue. Without proper nutrition, children are exposed to malnutrition, which eventually weakens their immune system. In this regard, Feeding America, a nonprofit organization, must remain at the forefront of finding solutions to child hunger in America. The American-based company has built a reputation based on its quest to end hunger in America. The organization should place more attention on the interest of children because of their inherent vulnerability. Through advocacy, community initiatives, structured programs, and partnerships with food stakeholders, Feeding America will increase food security and solve child hunger.
Children need Feeding America now more than any other time. The recent pandemic has severely increased the problem of food insecurity in America. As indicated in the nonprofit's official website, cases of hunger in America are growing. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have its toll, food insecurity and unemployment are rising. The nonprofit estimates that more than 54 million people may face hunger in 2020 (Feeding America). Without prompt action, the country will experience more deaths not because of the pandemic but as a result of hunger. Most families have lost their source of income thanks to the closure of many companies. Parents are grappling to provide food in the right quantity and quality. Non-governmental companies have an opportunity to show their patriotism to the country. Households in America continue to waste billions of food each year. Therefore, it is shocking to imagine that anyone goes hungry in the country (Feeding America). Such a scenario demonstrates the class difference existing in America. Feeding America will need to work with local authorities during the pandemic to identify the most vulnerable populations.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The nonprofit organization will help in ending child hunger in the country through advocacy. In defining advocacy, Casey says, "Advocacy is any attempt to influence public policy and practice or any other decision of institutional elite" (Casey, 2011 p.2). Advocacy can happen in many different ways, including influencing policies or petitioning law makers or politicians to take action. Nonprofit organizations have a significant role to play in shaping policies through advocacy. They have direct input through the provision of ideas and perspectives that can influence the policymaking process. Some politicians in Congress or Senate are members of the nonprofit organization (Kimberlin, 2010). Some have affiliations with these groups and can, therefore, act in the organization's best interest. Stakeholders have realized that child hunger cannot be finished with handouts or philanthropy. The solution lies in making policies and laws that address the root-causes of the issue. Feeding America will need to work hand-in-hand with local, state, and federal politicians and government officials to develop proper guidelines to end child hunger. Potential policies or laws can touch on several areas, including identifying vulnerable populations, distributing food, and treating children with malnutrition problems. Feeding America will also need to call for more funding to help drive federal and state food security programs.
Feeding America will work towards preventing instances of food wastage. According to the nonprofit organization, 72 billion pounds of food are wasted every year (Feeding America). Despite the massive wastage, research conducted in 2013 showed that about 15.8 million children in the US live at risk of hunger (Cloyd, 2014). Therefore, a disparity exists somewhere that stakeholders must address. Preventing food waste sets the country on a path of avoiding food wastage. Feeding America will need to establish more partnerships with manufacturers, farms, and consumer-facing businesses. The collaborative efforts should be based on rescuing food from wastage and ensuring that surpluses are set aside for children emanating from low socioeconomic conditions. Feeding America has food banks across the country. Partnership with more stakeholders in the food production industry allows it to store food that would otherwise have been wasted (Feeding America). The organization will then distribute to the foods to the most vulnerable populations across the country. Through education and community initiatives, Feeding America will inform the people that food wastage contributes to hunger. More importantly, it has a direct role in polluting the environment. Necessary measures should be taken to prevent this irresponsible behavior from happening.
The nonprofit organization will also shift its attention to food security. The end of child hunger depends on the constant availability of food in the country throughout the year. Using the United States' Department of Agriculture (USDA), the authors define food security as "Dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living" (Wight & Thampi, 2010, p.4). The organization will need to invest in the country's farmers to engage in sustainable measures to improve food production in the country. Feeding America can work with farmers in the US in various forms. First, the nonprofit's scientists can educate farmers to use modern technologies and innovation that guarantee better quality and quantity production of the foods in America. Secondly, through funding, Feeding America will increase farmers' capacity to produce food in the country. However, products from farming alone cannot guarantee food security in a country with a high population like the US. Feeding America will need to promote the production of analogous foods in the factories and manufacturing companies. Most analogous food products have specific nutritional attributes that exist in their natural counterparts. By supporting both farming and industrial production, the country will closely move towards food security.
Child hunger is also an association with malnutrition. Most children from low socioeconomic conditions are likely to exhibit health problems such as vitamin D deficiency, rickets, marasmus, and other nutritional related illnesses (Cloyd, 2014). Most of these illnesses are severe and contribute immensely to child morbidity and mortality. Therefore, to prevent diseases and deaths, Feeding America will need to accomplish several aspects. First, it will work in the population to educate parents on the cheaper alternative foods that can be used in place of the relatively expensive ones. The nonprofit will work closely with state and local governments to set up more nutrition clinics independently and within the care facilities. As the number of children with hunger problems continues to grow, stakeholders should respond by establishing more facilities to handle health concerns. Through education, the nonprofit will raise awareness of the malnutrition problem and further inform them of the right foods to avoid deadly diseases. In this quest, Feeding America should also advocate for food safety to ensure that manufacturers and retailers do not take advantage of their ignorance.
Disasters continue to happen in America in various forms, including fire, flood, and tsunamis, among other adverse conditions. Over the past few decades, the US has developed its infrastructure to readily respond to such emergencies. However, the relief food system in the country remains to be weak or inadequate. Non-governmental authorities must collaborate with governments to ensure that disaster victims receive food as part of the relief and rescue mission. In this regard, Feeding America will create an elaborate network with other government and non-governmental bodies. The aim is to create an intricate and efficient system for storing and transmitting food to disaster victims across the nation. Feeding America needs to work with for-profit organizations such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Apple, among other organizations with a strong philanthropy reputation. Bringing these organizations on board emphasizes the partnership between nonprofit and for-profit organizations (Kimberlin, 2010). The strategy will help many child disaster victims in America to avoid hunger and associated effects. Both for-profits and nonprofits will have the opportunity to practice corporate citizenship through corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Feeding America will not only concentrate on homes but also schools. Recent research documented in the Washington Post concluded that about 13 million children go to school hungry in the US (Seaton, 2013). Besides the common health problems associated with hunger and malnutrition, school children are also likely to suffer from low grades. Schools have the utmost responsibility to guarantee the maximum welfare and wellbeing of the children. Seaton (2013) further noted that only a handful of schools in the country have a comprehensive feeding program. Many students in learning institutions are, therefore, at risk of developing nutritional problems. Feeding America should seek to intervene in school affairs. The first strategy will encompass identifying institutions in low socioeconomic school districts. Such schools will be eligible for relief programs provided by the organization's food bank. Feeding America will also help school districts develop cost-effective feeding programs that meet young learners' nutritional needs. The most affected schools will receive financial help to purchase food of the required quantity and quality. The organization will also identify learners with special needs and provide them with the remedy needed to live healthy lives.
Lastly, the nonprofit organization will engage in fundraisers to assist families and communities across the country. In most circumstances, child hunger comes as a result of the inability to afford food. Nonprofits do not engage in business and therefore have no revenue to run their programs. Instead, they depend on donors, grants, and support from for-profit organizations. Part of the solution will depend on the organization's ability to raise funds and empower parents to take care of their children's needs. The organization will also liaise with their for-profit counterparts to employ or hire parents from vulnerable communities. Providing these families with a job gives them the much-needed livelihood to purchase healthy food for their children.
In conclusion, through advocacy, community initiatives, structured programs, and partnerships with food stakeholders, Feeding America will increase food security and solve child hunger. The review of literature has shown that child hunger is a serious problem facing Americans. The most vulnerable communities are those from low socioeconomic conditions. First, Feeding America must remain vigilant during the pandemic period and identify the most affected families. Secondly, it will seek to influence policies and laws through advocacy. Nonprofits can influence decisions by petitioning or providing their views on matters of national importance. Feeding America will also work to reduce food wastage in America. The amount of food wastage can be stored for future use by needy communities. The organization will also need to work with an institution such as hospitals, schools, and the community, in general, to prevent hunger from hitting adversity levels. Partnership with government and for-profit organizations is also welcomed. Finally, Feeding America will work closely with these institutions to provide relief food to child disaster victims.
References
Casey, J. (2011). Understanding advocacy: A primer on the policymaking role of nonprofit organizations. New York: Baruch College, City University of New York, Center for Nonprofit Strategy. https://goo. Gl/oegXGG .
Cloyd, S. (2014). Ending Child Hunger in the United States. Bread for the World https://www.bread.org/sites/default/files/downloads/briefing-paper-child-nutrition.pdf
Feeding America. Retrieved from: https://www.feedingamerica.org/
Kimberlin, S. E. (2010). Advocacy by nonprofits: Roles and practices of core advocacy organizations and direct service agencies . Journal of Policy Practice , 9 (3-4), 164-182.
Seaton, J. (2017). Reading, writing, and hunger: More than 13 million kids in this country go to school hungry. The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/03/09/reading-writing-and-hunger-more-than-13-million-kids-in-this-country-go-to-school-hungry/
Wight, V., & Thampi, K. (2010). Who Are America‘s Poor Children? Examining Food Insecurity among Children in the United States. https://www.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/text_958.pdf
