Abbey Strauss, M.D.

Consider this: that 1 in 7  families in the US face ‘food insecurity.’  This means that 14% of all American households struggled to put enough food on  the table in 2008.  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack  said it could be even higher in 2009. “Food insecurity” sounds a little like it ought to be a psychiatric term. It is not, but it can have psychiatric ramifications.

For example, we too often assume that kids have enough food to eat. But the elderly also have food insecurity. Many have to choose between food, medications or rent.  I suspect that these 14%  of American  families are in specific geographical clusters. But poor areas  often dwell within in rich counties.

The problem is world-wide too. The causes are politically complex.  Yet a quick local fix is possible — share our food. Look at what you throw away! Many restaurants and stores donate left over food.

Soup kitchens and food banks have long histories. Go to a kitchen or food bank. Meet the people. Imagine what their lives are like. Learn how they survive. Learn about the ones who do not. Ask how living with hunger might color their moods. Imagine the combination of a depression or anxiety disorder co-existing with hunger?  Imagine a kids’  body not growing up with enough food.

Bring your kids to the kitchens. Do it regularly.  Ask  teachers to make it a school project.  Let them see what most of them cannot imagine.  This is an environmental issue  — it is the growing of  and  maintainance of 14% of us.

Holiday donations are fine, but people eat all year-round.

And by the way, on the days you visit or take the kids to the kitchens, skip breakfast. It’s akin to being irreligious to be physically and psychologically well fed in front of people who are not. Share your food with them, and let them share their lives with you.

Then as a family write the government officials to address food insecurity.