Planning Intervention for Hunger Concern in Cuyahoga County - Paper Example

The United States Department of Agriculture classifies households as food insecure if they experience a limited supply of sufficient nutrition for an active, healthy life. The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) is an international assessment tool that identifies the least developed regions that need assistance ("Hunger & Food Security Programs | National Institute of Food and Agriculture," 2020). It aims to help volunteers serve the needy, identify the needs of families, and track the improvement of the families' well-being. A research carried out in 2017 showed that approximately 233,000 adults and 57,600 children in Cuyahoga County are food insecure ("Hunger Facts for Northeast Ohio," 2020). Child abuse, trafficking, and exploitation are associated with food insecurity and poverty (Reform, 2020). The federal government has established programs and agencies to assist low-income households in supplementing their monthly food budget.

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The United States government has established Hunger and Food Security Programs to ensure adequate food supply for all household members' active, healthy life. The programs ensure that the foods are readily available, nutritionally sufficient, and safe. (Gundersen, 2015). They also ensure that households have individually acceptable foods. NIFA tackles matters concerning hunger and food security through research, education, partnerships with USDA, and grants to non-profit organizations to tackle food security problems. The federal government funds nutritional programs across states to create awareness of nutritionally healthy foods (Gundersen, 2015). An example of NIFA hunger and food security programs are the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP). It deals with food security at the community level through federal food assistance, food recovery, donations, education, and awareness. These government programs have successfully attained their core mission of reducing food insecurity amongst low-income families.

The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland has been active in expanding households' financial strength, reducing hunger, and enhancing nutrition in the community by giving food and other crucial services associated with health to families by engaging in a coordinated response to the people in need. Their role is significant because statistics show that one out of five residents in Cuyahoga County residents sleeps hungry. The organization offers a three-day supply of groceries to every household member once a month, and hot, nutritious meals are available throughout. The organization maximizes every dollar collected to provide four nutritionally, balanced meals. Since inadequate food supply and lack of basic health services go hand in hand, the Network has had to incorporate a healthcare department to do preventative heal screening and offer medical services to the Cuyahoga County residents (Foundation, 2020). The Hunger Network provides materials on nutrition, healthy cooking, physical health, and mental health in the community.

The non-profit organization launched the Food Rescue Program to assist reduce the quantity of food waste and put fresh, healthy foods in many households (Foundation, 2020). These food wastes include perfectly edible foods that are imperfect looking products hence disposed of by grocery stores for cosmetic reasons, such as a banana for not being "yellow" enough. The produce is reserved for donations as they are perfectly fresh and healthy. The volunteers collect the commodities donated and deliver them to the hunger centers in Cuyahoga County (Foundation, 2020). The entire program is run using the Food Rescue App that permits the volunteers to plan regular food rescues and respond to a pop-up rescue mission.

The strategies used by the United Kingdom are quite different from those used by the United States. Hunger has been a severe problem for low-income families struggling to purchase healthy foods and sustain a balanced diet (Project, 2020). Government regulations are significant in combating the hunger crisis. British organizations like the Church Action on Poverty have had to pressure the government to put in more effort into solving the issue. They understand that no substantial changes will occur without government intervention. Sustainable Food Cities advocates for talks concerning wages and healthy food options (Project, 2020). As these organizations continue pressuring the government, Charity organizations are directly impacting the lives of those affected by hunger. Non-profit organizations and religious leaders have united in ending hunger, and they trust that their efforts of engaging the government in the issue will yield.

Children brought up in food-insecure regions are prone to violence in their communities and homes. Such exposure to violence can lead to significant physical, mental, and emotional torture with long-term consequences ("Children Exposed to Violence," 2020). It limits the children’s potential and increases the chances of them getting involved in juvenile crime. The children are at a higher risk of developing a substance abuse disorder, anxiety, and depression. They are also exposed to child abuse and sex trafficking. Therefore, solving the hunger problem will eradicate other problems associated with it.

Most of the population in Cuyahoga County are food insecure. Food insecurity is such a risk as it leaves them hungry, prone to diseases, child abuse, and sex trafficking. The United States government has established Hunger and Food Security Programs to ensure adequate food supply for all household members' active, healthy life. Non-profit organizations expand households' financial strength, reduce hunger, and enhance nutrition in the community by providing food and other crucial services. The strategies used by the United Kingdom and in the United States are different in that the former is amending its government policies. The programs by the government and private organizations have been successful in reducing food insecurity.

References

Children Exposed to Violence. (2020). Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/programs/children-exposed-violence

Foundation, C. (2020). Stories of Impact: Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland provides fresh produce to Northeast Ohio | Cleveland Foundation. Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/2020/01/stories-of-impact-hunger-network-of-greater-clevelands-food-rescue-program-provides-fresh-produce-to-northeast-ohio/

Gundersen, C. (2015). Food Assistance Programs and Child Health. The Future of Children, 25(1), 91-109. Retrieved October 6, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43267764

Hunger Facts for Northeast Ohio. (2020). Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/about/hunger-factsHunger & Food Security Programs | National Institute of Food and Agriculture. (2020). Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://nifa.usda.gov/program/hunger-food-security-programs

Project, B. (2020). Fighting Hunger in the United Kingdom - THE BORGEN PROJECT. Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://borgenproject.org/fighting-hunger-in-the-united-kingdom/

Reform, N. (2020). NCCPR Child Welfare Blog. Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://www.nccprblog.org/