Real Hunger

Jusr before Christmas we were harvesting some remaining Kale and some new growth Arugula at one of the schools. The kids have been great about trying new things but it cooccured to me that one of the girls was always eating more than her classmates and will constantly ask for more. I always bring additional veggies and she always asks for second and third helpings.

I decided I needed to talk to her to see if there was anything else going on.

I asked her if she had lots to eat at home and with a big smile on her face she flatly replied no.

It turns out she has 4 brothers and sisters and that whatever is put out on the table at breakfast and dinner is basically gone in seconds. It;s a first come first served battle and she loses out most of the time because she is the youngest. She also disclosed that her and her siblings rarely sit down at a table setting and hardly ever eat with their parents. Dad works a night shift and mom works in the morning for a few hours before the kids get home from school. Childhood hunger is a sad reality in our communities where homes are valud at millions of dollars but there is not enough food around. We have to pay closer attention and intervene for our children.