Pittsburgh Proud™: Fighting Childhood Hunger with Baseball Star Josh Bell
What "Food Insecurity" Looks Like
Families that are considered “food insecure” don't have access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Food insecurity happens in cities, in suburbs, and in rural areas. It affects people of every age, race, and ethnic background. It can be:
- A grandmother with limited income whose physical limitations make it difficult to cook
- Recently laid off parents skipping meals so that their three kids can eat
- A woman whose husband was badly injured in an accident and has to decide between food for the kids and her husband’s medication
All of these stories are a part of what we mean when we say “food insecure.” It’s not just a term – it is the very real, sometimes devastating circumstance that an estimated 15 million families face every day in the United States.
The good news is that there are ways to help. Ways to make a real impact. And we teamed up with baseball star Josh Bell to help do just that.
The Effects of Childhood Hunger
More than 13 million children live in food insecure households. Children who don’t get enough to eat – and who don’t get enough of the right kinds of food to eat – face more risks than just feeling hungry. They are also more likely to:
- Repeat a grade in elementary school
- Be at a greater risk of truancy and tardiness
- Experience developmental delays and impairments
- Display social and behavioral problems, such as anxiety, mood swings, and hyperactivity
- Face higher risks of chronic health conditions such as asthma and anemia
- Experience higher hospitalization rates
In short, not having enough to eat can affect every aspect of a child’s life.
How You Can Help
We're proud to partner with organizations like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We take our commitment to our community seriously—from helping our clients during difficult times to supporting our neighbors in need.
If you're interested in getting involved, you can visit the food bank's website to learn how you can lend a hand, be it donating, volunteering, or holding your own food drive (and more).
Finally, if you are in need of food assistance, be sure to reach out to your local food bank—they want to hear from you.