In 2016, 25% of Central Texas Children Experienced Food Insecurity
According to Map the Meal Gap 2016, an annual study conducted by Feeding America, 24.4% of Central Texas children face food insecurity, up from the national average of 20.9%. Meaning, si, es muy mal.
The study uses data from food insecurity estimates, food price variations and food budget shortfalls at the county and congressional district level. These figures are then paired with data from known factors that impact hunger including poverty, unemployment, food prices and access to federal assistance programs.
And collectively, this research shows us part of the picture we now see, which shows that:
- 25% of Central Texas children are food insecure (i.e. — 500,000 kids)
- 17.1% of Austin’s Travis County is food insecure (i.e. — 63,780 kids)
- 16% of all Texans are food insecure (i.e. — 1,500,000 people)
Texas, we have a problem.
500,000 Central Texas children experiencing food insecurity is a major problem. In Travis County alone, there are more than 180,000 food insecure residents total and more than 60,000 0f them are children.
I have two kids. I can’t imagine having to tell them there’s nothing to eat, but that is exactly what hundreds of thousands of parents and grandparents across Texas are doing every night.
AND WE DO NOT ACCEPT THAT. And we know you don’t either.
I have two kids. I can’t imagine having to tell them there’s nothing to eat, but that is exactly what hundreds of thousands of parents and grandparents across Texas are doing every night.
Good news — you can help right now.
When you support the best Central Texas non-profits facing food insecurity, you are literally feeding our food insecure kiddos. Don’t know which orgs are the best Central Non-Profits facing food insecurity so support?
Well, now you do. Here are three of them:
- Central Texas Food Bank: $5/month = 240 meals provided/year
The Central Texas Food Bank services a 21 county area, twice the size of Massachusetts. They provide 34 million pounds of food per year, feeding hundreds of thousands of food insecure Central Texans in the process. And they’re really nice, cool people. Given their size and economy of scale, they’re able to provide 4 meals for every $1 you provide.
This means very literally that, if you subscribe $5/month via the Everybody Helping app to the Central Texas Food Bank, you will personally provide 20 meals per month and 240 meals per year to food insecure children. And that’s a great place to start.
*Data via Central Texas Food Bank.
2. Meals on Wheels Central Texas
In 2015, Meals on Wheels provided 754,064 meals total and 7,175 full meals for kids via their Meals for Kids program. Meals for Kids provides nutritious, kid-friendly snacks and nutrition education to children of low-income families.
The kiddos they support live in and attend after-school programs at public housing communities in the Austin area. Each snack consists of four components: protein, fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Support Meals on Wheels Central Texas here.
3. Mobile Loaves & Fishes
In 2015, Mobile Loaves & Fishes volunteers used 16 trucks — 7 nights a week, 365 days a year — delivering meals and hygiene essentials to the men and women living on the streets. They deliver food, clothing, hygiene products, and other life-sustaining items where needed most.
In 2015, Mobile Loaves & Fishes served 4.5 million meals via their Truck Ministry. They’re physically hitting the streets feeding the most vulnerable residents of our communities.
Support Mobile Loaves & Fishes here.
