TOTALLY GEEKED!

Eleanor Goldberg · Guru

After years of teaching elementary school, there’s one struggling student in particular that Robbie Butler cannot shake from her mind.

“Ms. Butler, I’m hungry,” the boy would tell her every day. “I don’t have any food at home.”

Butler is hardly alone in feeling concern for students who don’t have enough to eat and see their grades and prospects decline as a result.

A recent survey released by No Kid Hungry found that 76 percent of public school teachers reported students coming to school hungry regularly. While the study concluded that hunger is on the rise among children in the U.S. and that its consequences are immeasurable, the staff members polled agreed that a solution is already in sight.

The advocacy group surveyed more than 1,000 school employees nationwide to uncover the scope of the issue from those who are at the front lines.

For the first time ever, more than half of public school kids are from low-income families. Without proper nutrition, the students' attendance, participation and social interactions precipitously suffer, the study concluded.

“Hunger is causing the demise of an entire generation that has so much potential,” Wintor McNeel, a guidance counselor, told No Kid Hungry. “These children are fighting for their lives daily.”

While these kids may not have stocked fridges at home, most public schools actually provide free breakfast. But because the programs often fail to cater to students’ logistical and emotional needs, many students don’t take advantage of the critical nourishment they need to thrive.

Nearly 10 million kids who qualify for free lunch, don't eat free breakfast at school, according to a report released last month by the Food Research and Action Center. Many miss out either because the meal is served before school starts and kids can't get there in time or because students are too ashamed to admit in front of their peers that their families can’t afford the basics.

But schools that have explored making minor tweaks -- such as simply serving breakfast in the classroom so it feels less shameful -- have reported increased participation in the program, which has led to rave results in their students' studies.

When kids eat breakfast, 73 percent of teachers said students pay better attention in class and 53 percent reported higher attendance.

“This is the first year we’ve had a free breakfast program for all students,” Margot Shaver, a first-grade teacher, told No Kid Hungry. “Not only are we feeding their physical needs, we’re feeding their emotional needs. The light turns on; they’re able to function in the classroom.”

Find out more about Share our Strength, the group behind No Kid Hungry and support their programming through the widget below

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/04/public-schools-breakfast_n_6794012.html

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Well, my kids go to school "hungry". So what? I used to try to make them eat breakfast. They just don't want too. At some point, they have to take responsibility for themselves. I have offered to cook eggs and other things but it was like No, no, no we dont' want anything. And, even if I made something, they wouldn't eat it. So, I gave up. There is cereal, milk, bread for toast, etc, if they want to eat fine, if not, then oh well.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

DD11 will not eat breakfast, I've tried for years. I still try and she doesn't eat it. Baby J, on the other hand, wakes up and while stretching tells me she wants cheerios. This morning she ate a bowl of cheerios and 2 left over pieces of pizza.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

I hate breakfast with a passion. I cannot eat until I have been up for a few hours. It actually makes me ill to eat in the morning. My DD is like BabyJ. She wants to know what's for dinner as she is waking up in the morning.

The story isn't about kids who choose to go without food though. It's about kids who may not have had a decent meal since lunch the day before. Kids whose homes don't have food to feed them, not kids who choose not to eat.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

My kids will sometimes eat. But not normal stuff. They would rather have pizza bites or granola bars than breakfast stuff at 7 in the morning.

I keep things they can throw in their back packs and have later.

But this article isn't about those who choose not to have breakfast.

It is about kids who don't have enough food. Those who don't eat except for what they get at school.

There are more hungry kids in America than people realize.

FNW · Guru

My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM

Bonny22Pye · Guru

I think its shameful that their are hungry kids in America.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Bonny22Pye wrote:
I think its shameful that their are hungry kids in America.

Last winter, there were a few times when IPS was open on snowy days.

The reason: to feed the kids who would go hungry if they stayed home.

flan

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Mellow Momma wrote:
I hate breakfast with a passion. I cannot eat until I have been up for a few hours. It actually makes me ill to eat in the morning. My DD is like BabyJ. She wants to know what's for dinner as she is waking up in the morning.

The story isn't about kids who choose to go without food though. It's about kids who may not have had a decent meal since lunch the day before. Kids whose homes don't have food to feed them, not kids who choose not to eat.

Yeah, I thought it was obvious from the headline.

Now there are groups who feed school kids in the summer. It's a real need, unfortunately.

flan

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

FNW wrote:
My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM

In my limited experience (our children's librarians visit free lunch locations twice a week to read stories to the kids), no, they're not.

Some of the parents, however...

flan

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

When the body is not nourished like it should be, when it does get food, it will store as much as it can. It's the body's way of dealing with starving. It happens a lot in kids.

Ever hear of people who eat just once a day but they just can't lose weight? It's because their body thinks it is starving and it grabs onto everything they put in it like a steal trap.

I am not defending adults. But kids, when truly hungry, will eat anything. So they may not be stick thin and look like they are starving. But they are.

Bonny22Pye · Guru

flan327 wrote:
FNW wrote:
My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM
In my limited experience (our children's librarians visit free lunch locations twice a week to read stories to the kids), no, they're not.
Some of the parents, however...
flan

A lot of kids that are hungry and obese are also only being fed crap because that's all that is available to them. They are still hungry because they need nutrients. If the body isn't getting what it needs it will signal to eat more crap to try to get as many nutrients as possible.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I used to see the kids on tv and think how could they be hungry, they had big bellies.

Then I learned that is the stomach swelling from lack of nourishment.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Bonny22Pye wrote:
flan327 wrote:
FNW wrote:
My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM
In my limited experience (our children's librarians visit free lunch locations twice a week to read stories to the kids), no, they're not.
Some of the parents, however...
flan
A lot of kids that are hungry and obese are also only being fed crap because that's all that is available to them. They are still hungry because they need nutrients. If the body isn't getting what it needs it will signal to eat more crap to try to get as many nutrients as possible.

In many inner-city neighborhoods here, lack of a decent grocery store is a real problem. You can't eat healthy if all you can get to is a 7-11.

flan

Blankie · Guru

If I were a teacher, I think I'd keep some boxes of granola bars around, and discreetly hand them out to the hungry kids.

FNW · Guru

You can't do that because of allergies.

FNW · Guru

Bonny22Pye wrote:
flan327 wrote:
FNW wrote:
My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM
In my limited experience (our children's librarians visit free lunch locations twice a week to read stories to the kids), no, they're not.
Some of the parents, however...
flan
A lot of kids that are hungry and obese are also only being fed crap because that's all that is available to them. They are still hungry because they need nutrients. If the body isn't getting what it needs it will signal to eat more crap to try to get as many nutrients as possible.

That was my thought. They aren't hungry necessarily, they are suffering from malnutrition.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

flan327 wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I hate breakfast with a passion. I cannot eat until I have been up for a few hours. It actually makes me ill to eat in the morning. My DD is like BabyJ. She wants to know what's for dinner as she is waking up in the morning.

The story isn't about kids who choose to go without food though. It's about kids who may not have had a decent meal since lunch the day before. Kids whose homes don't have food to feed them, not kids who choose not to eat.
Yeah, I thought it was obvious from the headline.
Now there are groups who feed school kids in the summer. It's a real need, unfortunately.
flan

Yes, for the most part. But it's also about how kids don't do well if they are hungry. And some of the kids are hungry because they won't eat the breakfast available to them. Our school serves breakfast, but many of the kids do not take advantage of it.

Summer is the worst for these kids when school is not in session.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Blankie wrote:
If I were a teacher, I think I'd keep some boxes of granola bars around, and discreetly hand them out to the hungry kids.

We used to have school-age kids who stayed in the library for 8 hours, with no food. Yes, occasionally I slipped certain ones some candy.

flan

Blankie · Guru

FNW wrote:
You can't do that because of allergies.

Oh, that's right. It's so different now. Makes it hard for teachers to help.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Some schools are having breakfast in the classrooms.

It's yogurt, bagels, fruit and milk or juice. The kid takes one of each that they want. Eat it at their desk and clean up after themselves.

It seems to be working as most will eat at least one of the offerings.

During testing periods, our schools will do a morning snack around 9. Something small, fruit, pretzels, juice. Something to help keep them going till lunch. Test scores are higher.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

FNW wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
flan327 wrote:
FNW wrote:
My kids don't always eat breakfast either, their choice. God knows our cupboards and fridge are packed and we're here to fix it for them.

I have to wonder...are these hungry children, also morbidly obese?

-- Edited by FNW on Thursday 5th of March 2015 01:22:28 PM
In my limited experience (our children's librarians visit free lunch locations twice a week to read stories to the kids), no, they're not.
Some of the parents, however...
flan
A lot of kids that are hungry and obese are also only being fed crap because that's all that is available to them. They are still hungry because they need nutrients. If the body isn't getting what it needs it will signal to eat more crap to try to get as many nutrients as possible.

That was my thought. They aren't hungry necessarily, they are suffering from malnutrition.

But that is what hunger is.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

At some schools, the breakfast is served earlier than the bus can get the kids to the school. So you miss breakfast if you do not have a ride to school. At other schools, the kids must leave the common area or the home room in the morning in order to get food. It's a walk of shame that some kids don't want to take and some kids can't afford to take. If you are already being bullied or teased, letting the bullies know your mom can't afford to feed you isn't wise.

FNW · Guru

Kids on our bus are permitted to get off the bus early to get breakfast (which they pay for) if they want. Otherwise, they remain on the bus until the bell rings. A lot of kids will go buy breakfast just so they can get off the bus, and end up throwing the food away because they've already eaten.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Mellow Momma wrote:
I hate breakfast with a passion. I cannot eat until I have been up for a few hours. It actually makes me ill to eat in the morning. My DD is like BabyJ. She wants to know what's for dinner as she is waking up in the morning.

The story isn't about kids who choose to go without food though. It's about kids who may not have had a decent meal since lunch the day before. Kids whose homes don't have food to feed them, not kids who choose not to eat.

Yes. I rarely eat breakfast. Maybe its just a genetic thing.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

J went to an alternative school for a year. They had a rule that all students and faculty ate breakfast at the same time at school.

They went in, through the line, got there food and sat quietly, they could whisper with those around them. Every one ate at the same time.

When they finished, they all left the dining area together and went to their first class.

Every kid ate. There was no condemnation of any kind. It really helped the kids.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Being " hungry" doesn't mean someone isn't adequately fed. Kids dont know how to even stand feeling hungry because parents have been pushing cheerios and snacks in their faces 24/7. I have been with parents that couldn't go anywhere even for a half hour drive without packing a bag.

Momala · Great cook-happy wife-superb fisherman

When I first inherited DH's 6 children, I couldn't figure out how to get them to eat breakfast, until I decided that I'd serve them "lunch" for breakfast! Soup and a sandwich became our staple. We served the soup in a mug, and wrapped the sandwich so they could eat it on the run. The soup was warm, but not hot, so they could just "inhale" it if they wanted to!

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

FNW wrote:
Kids on our bus are permitted to get off the bus early to get breakfast (which they pay for) if they want. Otherwise, they remain on the bus until the bell rings. A lot of kids will go buy breakfast just so they can get off the bus, and end up throwing the food away because they've already eaten.

They just sit on the bus and wait for the bell to ring? Interesting. Doesn't that cause discipline problems? Those poor kids who are first on the bus...they are prob on it forever.

Our busses have always emptied right out as soon as they get to the school - the bus needs to start the next route immediafelt after. They run 2 routes usually - an elementary/middle school and a high school. Some towns do 3 routes - elementary, middle, high school. Now one school put everyone in the gym until school started (teachers rotated supervising), one school let them go right to their classroom, one school had assigned seats in the cafeteria in the morning (no meal was served) and you sat there until the bell rang.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Most of these kids families qualify for food stamps. I would wonder where all the food stamp money is going to.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Sorry but my mom and dad grew up poor. So, they didnt' have a "stocked pantry". So, a lot of "hunger" is, "I want something to eat because I am bored and I need something to do" type hunger. And, when my kids were growing up, there were times I let them be "hungry". Using the term "hungry" is a very loaded term. You might say "Oh , I am so hungry" as you are walking in to the Pizza Parlor. Is that really "hunger"? Is that really bloated, lack of hunger malnutrition eating a tablespoon of rice a day hunger? Of course not. This generation of kids has been CONDITIONED to eat constantly. I have had to battle the Snack Monsters that are shoving snacks into my kids' faces 24/7. I couldn't send my kids to an evening Bible Study or any activity under the sun without somebody giving them a pile of junk food to eat.
And, part of teaching my kids was, No you don't need a snack, you ate an adequate breakfast so learn to let your stomach rumble until lunch. Perhaps a bit more of that might go a long way to helping with childhood obesity as well.

Tinydancer · Guru

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Most of these kids families qualify for food stamps. I would wonder where all the food stamp money is going to.

My niece started receiving food stamps when she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and I've seen what she gets. $80.00 a month for her and her daughter. She receives no other aid because her ex-husband has to carry them both on his health insurance. Luckily we all (a very large family) help so they'll be ok as far as that goes. She does a pretty good job with so little money but I work in food distribution so I make sure they will never go hungry. Most of these families can't really say that.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

There are Food banks, Angel Ministries where you can get a huge box of food for a very inexpensive amount. Churches offer dinners, soup kitchens and on and on.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

DD goes to before school care where they get breakfast, but most days it is crap food like donuts or breakfast strudels, not anything that will stay with kids long. I like when they toast waffles and serve fruit. That should be everyday IMO. any the school incorporated an extra 15 minutes into the school schedule at the beginning of the day where the kids are allowed to go get breakfast and bring it to their classrooms. The school breakfast is most times better than the before school program and sometimes DD does that. I know the school offers this so those on "free" meals don't feel isolated when they get breakfast, but it also helps the kids that have to get up at the crack of dawn and aren't hungry until they've been up for awhile.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
There are Food banks, Angel Ministries where you can get a huge box of food for a very inexpensive amount. Churches offer dinners, soup kitchens and on and on.

True, but transportation is often a problem.

flan

Tinydancer · Guru

Yes but you are limited to what they can give and it's not like there are soup kitchens on every corner. These are excellent ways to stretch your food money but it doesn't help enough. All of my charity goes toward food related organizations. We live in the richest country in the world and yet there are still kids who are hungry. Some parents just suck and some parents just don't know what to do. I prefer to help the ones I can.

this was in reference to LGS's post but you all are too fast...lol

-- Edited by Tinydancer on Thursday 5th of March 2015 05:01:59 PM

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Tinydancer wrote:
Yes but you are limited to what they can give and it's not like there are soup kitchens on every corner. These are excellent ways to stretch your food money but it doesn't help enough. All of my charity goes toward food related organizations. We live in the richest country in the world and yet there are still kids who are hungry. Some parents just suck and some parents just don't know what to do. I prefer to help the ones I can.

Unfortunately, some parents just do Suck. And, all the help, aid, etc in the world doesn't change that.

Tinydancer · Guru

I hear you LGS. I also know some good parents who try their best and it's still hard to make ends meet. Those are the ones I try to help. A food resource hotline and even delivery to certain people is my way of giving back. I am obsessed with food and not just eating...lol

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Tinydancer wrote:
I hear you LGS. I also know some good parents who try their best and it's still hard to make ends meet. Those are the ones I try to help. A food resource hotline and even delivery to certain people is my way of giving back. I am obsessed with food and not just eating...lol

What is your food obsession in particular?

Tinydancer · Guru

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Tinydancer wrote:
I hear you LGS. I also know some good parents who try their best and it's still hard to make ends meet. Those are the ones I try to help. A food resource hotline and even delivery to certain people is my way of giving back. I am obsessed with food and not just eating...lol
What is your food obsession in particular?

I work for the largest food distributor in the country, I run a nonprofit food resource hotline, I volunteer for meals on wheels and often bring extra food because I receive so many samples in the course of my job, I love to cook, I love to eat, and I just love to see it and smell it. So pretty much everything food.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Being " hungry" doesn't mean someone isn't adequately fed. Kids dont know how to even stand feeling hungry because parents have been pushing cheerios and snacks in their faces 24/7. I have been with parents that couldn't go anywhere even for a half hour drive without packing a bag.

You are talking about something totally different.

The hunger this article is about is the kind of hunger you have when there is no food or very little food.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Most of these kids families qualify for food stamps. I would wonder where all the food stamp money is going to.

Normally I would agree with you.

Food stamps have been drastically cut lately. I don't know about every where but here, most are being cut by half.

And where they can shop makes a difference too.

But I would like to know more about why they are hungry.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount Family size Monthly SNAP amount
1 $189
2 $347
3 $497
4 $632
5 $750

For TX

This is a lot of benefits. The only way you receive less than this is if you are making more than the poverty level. This took about a 30 second search. Also, benefits have actually RISEN and are NOT being cut. However, if you go on disability you will take a cut in food stamps. If you are receiving the full amount of food stamps you should be able to survive with some simple planning. It's really easy to pull up the benefits in your state. Tinydancer, I think your family member probably received such a small amount because they had other income coming in. They count all income in the household.

Tinydancer · Guru

She has no other income coming in but because her medical is covered that's all she gets. I don't worry about her because I'll make sure but what about the others with no family to care? You end up buying cheap crappy food when that's all you can afford.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

I know they count medical and also if they have any savings or 401k's or anything like that. It's weird that she would only get $80/month for two people with absolutely no income coming in and no assets. What state do they live in?

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Most of these kids families qualify for food stamps. I would wonder where all the food stamp money is going to.
Normally I would agree with you.
Food stamps have been drastically cut lately. I don't know about every where but here, most are being cut by half.
And where they can shop makes a difference too.
But I would like to know more about why they are hungry.

No, they weren't cut. The temp increase O put in a couple of years ago due to high unemployment rates ended.

Tinydancer · Guru

They live in RI. She now lives with her mother who's retired and having her own issues now supporting 3 when she was only counting on 1.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Tinydancer wrote:
She has no other income coming in but because her medical is covered that's all she gets. I don't worry about her because I'll make sure but what about the others with no family to care? You end up buying cheap crappy food when that's all you can afford.

Ok her medical is covered. Is she also receiving a rent subsidy? Maybe EBT cash? That all figures into the food stamp part. If her rent is covered, and she is receiving disability and medical her only necessities are utilities and food. The cash benefit would cover the utilities plus some. Maybe that is what is going on. I don't think I could feed DD and I on $80/month but I sure could on just a bit more.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Tinydancer wrote:
They live in RI. She now lives with her mother who's retired and having her own issues now supporting 3 when she was only counting on 1.

They will count any income of any people in the house...

Tinydancer · Guru

No rent subsidy because she lives with her mom who has just enough to make them all ineligible for anything. She does receive $100 of child support each week and her ex pays extras when he can but...

TOTALLY GEEKED!

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