Health and Hunger

The connection between hunger and health is undeniable.  Those who struggle with hunger are disproportionally affected by obesity and diet-sensitive chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Food insecure individuals often lack access – financial or otherwise – to high quality, nutrient dense foods.  Foods that sustain and strengthen.  It’s no secret that healthy foods cost more and have shorter shelf lives.  So those struggling with hunger often turn to high-calorie, low-nutrient packaged foods including cakes, chips, and sugary drinks to fill bellies on a budget.

Yes, it is possible to eat well on shoe-string budgets, but if often requires extensive planning, preparation, cooking skills, and a functional kitchen.  For the working poor, preparing a home-made meal for their kids after school isn’t always possible – sometimes, even impossible.  And when food is medicine – as is the case for diabetes – this can be especially detrimental.  

To complicate the issue of hunger and health, 62% of people served by food pantries in Cook County reported choosing between paying for food and medical bills. 

To combat this issue, and encourage health we continue to expand our program offerings.  Health and hunger initiatives currently include,

• Nutrition Education – nutrition presentations and recipe demos (and samples) offered at food distributions.  Recently expanded to all distributions, up from 70% of distributions.
• Direct Hunger Relief – prioritizing healthy foods.  In FY2016, families received and average of 58 pounds of food including lean meats, whole grains, and 12 pounds of fresh produce.
• On-site health screenings – blood pressure checks by volunteer nurses at distributions allow clients to “know their numbers” as a first step to remedying the issue.
• Cooking Matters – a cooking class and stand-alone store tour that equips participants with nutrition knowledge and cooking skills to prepare food on a budget.