According to feedingamerica.org, nearly 20 percent of children across the United States are experiencing some form of food insecurity.
Hunger is a devastating problem that causes a weaker immune response, greater stress and decreased focus. All of these symptoms affect children particularly hard most noticeably in school Christmas time should not be a season when families need to worry if they can feed everyone. The added economic stress on families from all the gifts, decorations, and other holiday necessities causes tough decisions to be made.
Not only can food become an issue, other bills like heat and electricity slowly become more of a problem. This is why one of the most important things the average person can do is to reach out a helping hand during the holidays. Whether it is spending the whole day working in a soup kitchen or rounding up your change every time you pick up some fast food, any amount helps. We at the Vanguard believe that people should try to donate to some form of charity during the holidays, no matter the time, cost, or effort. One of the biggest impacts someone can make is helping those experiencing food insecurity.
Overall, about 14 percent of U.S. households reported experiencing food insecurity between January and October of this year, up from 12.5 percent in 2024, according to the latest data from Purdue’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability.
Millions of Americans are affected, yet the number of ways one can assist is varied. For starters, the holidays are a time when soup kitchens and food pantries are in their deepest need. The craze of Christmas time adds massive weight to the pantry’s workloads, so truly any help is appreciated. Anyone can take any food they have to a pantry who will in turn make sure that food is given to a person in need. If you have a free day or even just an hour or two, soup kitchens are always ready to bring on some new hands. There are dozens of places just like that across southeast Michigan. However, food is not the only need people face.
Another major problem is winter weather. The cost for proper coats, gloves, scarves, and more can pile up. On top of that, the potential medical bills from catching an illness during the chilliest time of the year only adds more money to the final total. One charity that most people should be familiar with that helps provide clothes at an affordable price for all Americans is the Salvation Army.
They have stores in many cities that will take any old clothing you have moved on from. In the same vein you have Goodwill who also helps provide job training as well. Donating to these stores is an excellent way to not just clear out your closet, but also to give back during the holidays. An aspect that many don’t focus on when talking about doing something nice for others is how refreshing it can feel. Around the holidays, when people are already overwhelmed, helping others can be grounding.
Research has proven that acts of kindness genuinely lower stress and boost moods. Fighting food insecurity also does not have to be a solo act. Helping others brings a lot of people together creating one large, united community. Getting together with a group of people to accomplish a demanding task creates more than just opportunities for those in need. The memories of working for a good cause will last for a lifetime.
Still, acts of kindness do not have to be large groups organizing and rebuilding an abandoned house. Sometimes, they are small individual decisions. We have all been asked before if we would like to round up our chance to donate while going out to eat. An important thing to consider here is how if everyone decides to give up less than a dollar worth of cash towards whatever charity the company is partnered with, then suddenly a huge weight has been lifted off the shoulders of thousands in need.
Giving is not a grand gesture that means you sacrifice an arm and leg for what is good. It is often a simple thought, to uplift those who need it more.
