Why do children in the United States go to school hungry?

Question

I just watched a 20/20 episode called "Waiting On The World To Change" and kids in two different cities in New Jersey were being interviewed. Did anyone watch it?

While all the stories were sad, the little boy named Ivan who lives in Camden, NJ touched my heart deeply. He was only 4 or 5 yrs old and he and his mom and brother are homeless. And all he wanted to do was go to school......he was so cute and had such an innocent outlook on life. He was so scared on his first day of school and also so hungry. "When do I get to eat?", that was the first thing he asked his mom when she took him to school.

I won't keep going on about the show, but it seriously made me wonder why do we allow this? I mean, we take so much pride in being Americans, we are one of the richest countries in the world, so seriously, what can be done about it?

Does anyone REALLY care about the children that are starving or homeless in our very own country? I welcome any logical insight to this question.

Semper Fi 83, I am American, I live in Japan because of the military.......

To revdauphinees, Yes I have not forgotten about Katrina. I was so ashamed of our government. I cried for 2 days seeing all those people needlessly suffer.

To Chula, I know what you mean, even Oprah spent A LOT of money to open a school for girls in Africa, why couldn't she help more kids in her own town of Chicago? Why doesnt Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt go to the poor cities in the U.S. and bring the attention? I guess it's just more glamorous to go to other countries and make yourself feel important for doing so little.........Makes me wonder.....

Answer 1

I watched the show too. And I am also wondering why. The answer is awareness and action.
Now that we have been made aware that there are situations like this it is up to us to take action.
I personally will be contacting the local elementary school (where my Grandchildren go) and offering any assistance I can to help out any of the under priveleged in any way the school authorities suggest.
Also make sure you are donating to food banks. Not just at hodilay times but, all year long.

Answer 2

I don't know what the purpose behind the interview was. I know that here in MS they get breakfast and lunch in the city school systems and if they can't afford it they are put on a program that they get the meals anyway. I hate to think that the NJ school system is that far behind. No child should go hungry in this country. That is why it really bothers me that some wealthy Americans especially some of the celebrities take their money outside of the country to help others. I think that charity begins at home. I would gladly sponsor a poor child in my town who was being deprived of food at school.

Answer 3

I am from Canada, but we have the same problems here. I think perhaps one of the reasons children go hungry is because people are unwilling to think outside the box to meet the needs they see around them. Soup kitchens and shelters are a good start but sometimes nthey are in locations not everyone can get to. I think having a school snack or breakfast program at every school in Canada and the States should be a priority. I also think that more private groups need to step up to the bat and help combat hunger. Here in Woodstock, we have a group called "Operation sharing". They have gotten every grocery store in our town to ask everyone who goes through the till if they would donate a quarter to operation sharing. All the money that is collected goes to operation sharing and they in turn give out gift cards in increments of $25.00 to people who come to them for food. The gift cards can only be used for food and such things as soap or diapers. It gives people a choice and it also means they can get food from a store that is closest to where they live.

Answer 4

Children in our own Country are starving because every one is worried about what's going on in other places other than helping our own people who are very much in need.
I watch the Stars in Hollywood fly all over to different Countries, writing out huge checks, building houses, schools, providing medical care and here in America, people are homeless and children are starving.
I often wonder the same thing too. If any one does care about what's going on in our own Country. Seems to me, other Countries are their first priority unfortunately. While our own suffer ''they'' get recognition for helping other Countries out. It's So sad.

Answer 5

Yes, I saw the show, and I thank Diane Sawyer for bringing to light a very real and neglected problem in the U.S. I don't know why people turn their heads to this. My niece is a school teacher, and has hungry children come to school every day. I think that the only way to get something done about it is to do what you're doing and talk about it. We need to press our leaders by writing to them. We need to force it to be an issue in the Presidential campaign, as well as local campaigns. Thank you for bringing more light to this!

Answer 6

this is what I'm good at, i live in Camden and i am Asian! some kids go to school hungry because of course their family can't afford the food. or are homeless. but i must say Camden is not just known for its crimes and poorness. i go to school in h.h Davis elementary and we learn a lot of things. kids are not bullied and we are all treated equally.but we are "in the hood". of course people have cared for homeless people, my teachers do and my aunt donates money to help the poor. i am not poor ( i have a hummer and I'm gonna move to a 500 thousand $ house soon) but i wish i could do something to help I'm only12.

Answer 7

It is not the children's fault. It's the parents. In America, there are choices to be made that depends on your future.. You need to do well in school, and prepare yourself for the real world.

If you mess up, then you are doomed to live in poverty, homeless or not. That means getting involved in crime, murder, or drugs.

But, I am sure the kids will get help, and will makke something of themselves.

Answer 8

Because our government is not concerned about the famine in America, therefore our children go to school hungry, stay hungry, return home hungry.

Our so called "movie stars" make millions upon millions of dollars, same with those that play sports here in America. You would think they would give back to the communities across the United States to help improve the poverty levels so many have fallen in.

What would happen to them all if we all protested and refused to go watch them on the big screens or in the stadiums? hmm a good thought there, if I must say so myself.

Answer 9

isn't it sad this can happen in the richest society earth has ever known??we send millions overseas to aid others and yet we have such poverty in our own land !I am a survivor of hurricaine Katrina and the things I have seen I will never recover from!i never thought i would see the dead lying on the street for days here in America but i did!
maybee the powers in this country need reminding charity is good but charity must begin at home!

Answer 10

it seems that our government has many major flaws when it comes to the plight of the inner-city and underpriviledged youth. I'm glad that someone else other than an American has taken notice to this. Please feel free to share that information. maybe our government will be embarassed into to fixing a decades old problem here before minding evryone else's business!