FCCLA students host annual food drive
On Monday, Oct. 30, Perkins County High School FCCLA students will be participating in their annual food drive, benefiting the Perkins County Food Pantry.
FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) is focusing on local hunger issues and asking for support for the local food pantry.
PCS FCCLA members will be canvassing the local community for food pantry items on Monday, Oct. 30 from 6:45-8 p.m.
Those wishing to make donations should leave a porch light on during that evening.
Donations can also be taken to the high school office.
According to the No Kid Hungry website, “one in six kids in the United States doesn’t get the food they need every day. While hunger is harmful to everyone, it can be especially devastating to children because of its potential for long-term consequences.”
“In 2016, 13.3 million or approximately 18 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty.” as stated by Feeding America.
Why childhood hunger is an important issue is being discussed by FCCLA students:
• Children who struggle with hunger are sick more often, recover more slowly and are more likely to be hospitalized.
• They are more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue as well as anemia and asthma.
They may also experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills.
• Children who face hunger are more susceptible to obesity and its harmful health consequences as children and as adults.
• Lack of enough nutritious food (food insecurity) impairs a child’s ability to concentrate and perform well in school.
• Children who regularly do not get enough nutritious food to eat have significantly higher levels of behavioral, emotional and academic problems and may be more aggressive and anxious. It may also prevent them from engaging in social interactions with their peers.
• Teens who regularly do not get enough to eat are more likely to be suspended from school and have difficulty getting along with other kids. Children who do not have enough to eat are not going to do as well in school.