Eradicating hunger in the United States is not Utopian, no more so than freedom, justice, or democracy – ideals that have become reality here, but still remain unattained for millions of people living under despotic rule: starving for freedom.
We can, and must ensure the basics for the neediest. It is not only the just thing to do, it’s also the most pragmatic. Malnutrition harms both the body and the mind. Chronic hunger and malnutrition can cause significant health problems. People who are malnourished are more likely to become ill, and in severe cases, may even die.
Thankfully, The Maryland Food Bank is on the forefront of food distribution to the hungry. Under the leadership of Deborah Flateman, Maryland Food Bank CEO, they’re aiming high to cure the demand of needy families.
The infant mortality rate is closely linked to inadequate quantity or quality in the diet of the infant’s mother. In 1996, the infant mortality rate in the United States was 7.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Black infants in the U.S. died at more than twice the rate of white infants, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
We are all connected; if not by the heart and soul, certainly by the wallet. Who pays when a malnourished child enters an emergency room with no insurance? Who pays when children arrive at school hungry, unable to focus? Who pays when a homeless man starves to death on the street, no family to claim the body? We do. Not only do we pay in the long run, we pay more to cure than we pay for the cost of prevention.
In the midst of this battle to feed the hungry, it’s interesting to note America’s bad habit of wasting food and eating too much simultaneously.
According to Food Review, by Linda Scott Kantor, Kathryn Lipton, Alden Manchester and Victor Oliveira:
“The U.S. food supply is the most varied and abundant in the world. Americans spend a smaller share of their disposable income on food than citizens of any other country and choose from an average of 50,000 different food products on a typical outing to the supermarket. In 1994, the food supply provided approximately 3,800 calories per person per day, enough to supply every American with more than one and a half times their average daily energy needs.”
The Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland has also released some interesting data:
“Since 1974, there has been a progressive increase in the per capita US food supply. Over the same period, there has also been an increase of body weight as manifested by the US obesity epidemic.”
Simply put, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. Not only should many Americans eat less, there is a surplus of food that no one is eating – it’s being thrown away.
“We’re brave enough to say that we want to end hunger in the state of Maryland. What does that mean? Moving a lot more food, finding a lot more donated food, and more funds that can go to subsidize the expense of purchasing food. Due to the economy, there has been a huge increase in need.
“One of our initial challenges was the lack of a long range plan … now we’re coming together behind some very singularly focused initiatives that will cause Maryland Food Bank to be among the best in the country.”
The Maryland Food Bank, an affiliate of Feeding America, was founded in 1979 to coordinate the procurement and distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies to organizations providing free food to the state’s hungry.
The bank’s storage and distribution of food is no less complex than any for-profit business. For this reason, Ms. Flateman seems determined to bring a level of efficiency to their operation on par with large retailers.
“We distributed 18.6 million pounds of food last year, up from 14 million the year before. Everything that a for-profit food distributor deals with, we have to deal with too. To truly end hunger in Maryland we need to move 79 million pounds of food per year.”
The Maryland Food Bank is a leader in need of more followers. Unlike other worthy social movements pushing forward with enormous sacrifices, including loss of life, this advancement requires little in proportion to what is gained. Donate to, or volunteer for, the Maryland Food Bank. Organize inter-office canned food drives beyond those during Thanksgiving, or find your own way to be a part of ending hunger in Maryland.
