The problem of childhood hunger can be fixed
A recent town hall in Cullowhee laid out a heartbreaking problem in our public schools, as well as a sensible solution. The problem is hunger. The solution is to provide free meals to all students in our public schools. But, how do we get there?
‘What our kids need’: no cost meals in WNC schools
Every student in Haywood and Jackson County Schools can expect no cost breakfast and lunch in the coming school year, and Macon County is not far behind in meeting that mark as well.
Haywood Meals on Wheels seeks help
After Covid, Haywood Meals on Wheels lost volunteers and was forced to drop meal deliveries to three days per week. The goal is to return to a five-day delivery schedule.
Community Action conference comes to WNC: The annual conference paid special homage to several regional leaders
True freedom isn’t attainable without economic freedom. This was the central theme of the 2024 North Carolina Community Action Association’s annual convention held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino last week.
Sponsored: Hit the Links to Alleviate Hunger in Haywood County
Funds raised at the Haywood Healthcare Foundation’s annual golf tournament will go toward food insecurity among children and the elderly in Haywood County.
WNC foodbanks feel the pinch
The holidays, a time of overabundance for some, can be the toughest time of year for those suffering food insecurity looking ahead toward a long winter.
Legislation provides some assistance to school nutrition departments
After passing in Congress, President Biden signed the Keep the Kids Fed Act on June 23, partially extending school meal flexibilities just days before they were set to expire.
Volunteers ‘fill in the gaps’ of the food security spectrum
Passing modest, nondescript houses with swing sets and dog houses in their yards, the big red pickup truck lumbered up the winding mountain road, bed filled with bread, cereal boxes, canned goods and the like. Negotiating one final hairpin, it slowly creeps into the grassy driveway of Hannah Orlikowski.
Schools keep kids fed during pandemic
North Carolina is regularly ranked as one of the 10 hungriest states in the nation. According to Feeding America data from 2018, North Carolina had a child food insecurity rate of 19.3 percent, with Haywood County at a rate of 21 percent. During the pandemic, Feeding America found that a majority of food banks report seeing a record increase in the number of people needing help, with an average increase of 60 percent across the country.
Food insecurity triples in WNC
Food insecurity in Western North Carolina has nearly tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic as people struggle to put food on the table.
