Inadequate nutrition can result in troubling consequences for kids’ health at nearly every stage of childhood development. Food-insecure mothers are more likely to experience low infant birth weight and other birthing complications. Children who are living with food insecurity are more likely to develop asthma and anemia, as well as experience stunted development, hospitalizations, and oral health problems. More troubling still, exposure to food insecurity and its accompanying socioeconomic conditions are linked to childhood mental health challenges — including anxiety and aggression — which can further limit a kid’s ability to be a productive student.
The end of SNAP Emergency Allotments on March 1, 2023, caused difficulties for everyone enrolled in the program, but the decrease especially affected families with children. In Colorado, 64% of SNAP participants fall into this category, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to make difficult decisions: Do I pay my rent this month or do I put food on the table for my family? Should I skip a meal so I can afford fuel to get to work? Times are already tough with high inflation, and with the end of this emergency benefit, times are going to get even more challenging — especially for families.
To help ensure everyone in our service area has access to the food they need, Food Bank of the Rockies anticipates purchasing up to 20% more food each month. We can’t do this work without you and are so thankful for your generous support. To learn more about what we’re doing to combat childhood hunger, continue reading.
