Prevalence of Poverty
According to a recent report in the Huffington Post, over 6,000 D.C. residents fell below the poverty line between 2008 and 2009. A Washington Post report adds that the poverty rate for African American children in the city is about 43%, which is up from 31% in 2007 and much higher than the national average. These children often go without meals, leaving them ill-equipped for the rigors of school and greatly hindering their ability to learn.
This video describes the free lunch program in schools nationwide. Today more than 30 million schoolchildren benefit from the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Truman in 1946. For many students, it may be the only nutritional meal they get - and some kids are still being denied a hot meal because their parents can't afford it.
- Reducing childhood obesity
- Preventing childhood hunger
- Promoting after-school programs that offer additional academic help