Child hunger is an American problem
16 million kids go hungry each year
An estimated 48.8 million Americans, including 16.2 million children, live in households that lack the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis. As a result, about 1 in 5 children go hungry at some point during the year.
62% of teachers say children in their classrooms are coming to school hungry
Educators in the U.S. are acutely aware of childhood hunger's massive impact. About 3 out of 4 American teachers notice their students aren't able to access adequate amounts of food.
School lunches — and the uptick of school breakfast programs — help curb some of the barriers in access. But lacking stable food access at home can have devastating impacts on a child's ability to get the most out of their education.
Children facing hunger are twice as likely to repeat a grade in elementary school
Children who go hungry are more likely to miss school and receive poorer grades — which leads to trouble keeping up in class.
Hunger is also associated with stomachaches, headaches, depression, anxiety and a decreased ability to focus — all of which have an impact on educational attainment.
Research shows that hungry kids also struggle socially and behaviorally, making their experiences in school less than enjoyable. Studies have found that children from food-insecure families are more likely to drop out of high school before graduation.
We need community based solutions
Volusia School Fuel is a non-profit, community-wide project to provide essential meal nourishment to mal-nourished elementary students across Volusia County. We unite donors and volunteers representing diverse businesses, organizations, denominations, and societal groups around our common goal to end child hunger.
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How you can help
Volusia School Fuel relies on volunteers, donors and sponsors to provide vital nourishment to children who simply do not have enough to eat. You can be apart of fueling the future of our students and county by getting involved below.
Give
Donors are the life-blood of Volusia School Fuel and life-giving to the students that receive the School Fuel meals you help provide. By giving $25/month or $250/year you can supply a child with the nutrition they need to fully grow and develop.
Sponsor
We partner with influential individuals, businesses, and organizations to execute and deliver for the kids of Volusia County. It only costs $250 to sponsor one child for all the weekends and holidays during the school year.
Volunteer
Our volunteers help plan, pack and deliver the Volusia School Fuel meals to elementary schools all across Volusia County. There are tons of ways to get involved. Find out how you can be a part by clicking the Get Involved button below.