Consequences of Childhood Hunger and Poverty in Winnebago County

In Winnebago County, a significant number of children are facing poverty and hunger, leading to various health, psychological, and academic challenges. The Junior League of Rockford, Inc. is actively involved in addressing these issues to build better communities and support these vulnerable children. The consequences of hunger and food insecurity include elevated health problems, impaired cognitive functioning, chronic hunger, and poorer school achievement. These issues have long-term effects on children's well-being, educational outcomes, and overall community development.

• Childhood hunger
• Poverty
• Community development
• Junior League
• Winnebago County

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1. Backpack Buddies Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

2. Background 19,612 or 27.2% of children in Winnebago County are living in poverty (US Census Bureau) 19,540 or 26.8% of children are at risk of hunger in Winnebago County (USDA and Feeding America) Nearly 6,253 of these children are not eligible for free/reduced lunches because their family income is too high 29,251 children in Winnebago County are eligible to receive free or reduced priced lunches through the National Lunch Program (Illinois State Board of Education) Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.

3. Consequences Health Psychological Learning & Academic Elevated Occurrence of Health Problems: Stomachaches & Headaches Colds Ear Infections Fatigue Higher levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and anxiety as well as passivity Impaired cognitive functioning and diminished capacity to learn Chronic Hunger Lower test scores and poorer overall school achievement Greater Incidence of Hospitalizations Difficulty getting along with other children Poorer overall health status and compromised ability to resist illness Increased need for mental health services Repeating a grade in school Increased school absences, tardiness, and school suspension The Consequences of Hunger and Food Insecurity for Children Center on Hunger and Poverty Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

4. Consequences Health Psychological Learning & Academic Elevated Occurrence of Health Problems: Stomachaches & Headaches Colds Ear Infections Fatigue Higher levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and anxiety as well as passivity Poverty Higher rates of school failure Poorer returns on educational investment Weakened workforce productivity Impaired cognitive functioning and diminished capacity to learn Chronic Hunger Lower test scores and poorer overall school achievement Greater Incidence of Hospitalizations Difficulty getting along with other children Poorer overall health status and compromised ability to resist illness Increased need for mental health services Repeating a grade in school Increased school absences, tardiness, and school suspension The Consequences of Hunger and Food Insecurity for Children Center on Hunger and Poverty Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

5. Backpack Buddies Project Vision Lessen the consequence of chronic childhood hunger to low- income elementary school children Educate and empower low-income elementary school families with the skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy and affordable meals Educate low-income elementary school children on healthy food choices and healthy lifestyles Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.

6. Project Overview Backpack Buddies Provide weekly backpacks of nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods over the weekends to children in food insecure homes in the Rockford area to bridge the gap between Friday and Monday when food may not be available Food Cents Teach parents how to prepare and shop sensibly for healthy meals on a limited budget Focus on reading & understanding labels as well as preparing a meal for a family of four on a budget of $10.00 Kids in the Kitchen Teach children the importance of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles through fun activities Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.

7. Pilot School McIntosh Elementary School Partnering with Rockford Public Schools School selected jointly by the Rockford Public Schools Parent & Community Empowerment Department & JLR Enrollment: 418 students grades K 5 94.7% low income Pilot will run January 2014 May 2014 Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

8. Community Partnerships Backpack Food Partnering with the Rock River Valley Pantry & the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) Rock River Valley Pantry is going to order food for us from the NIFB and we will pay them directly with no additional cost to us Allows us to purchase food at an extremely low cost Rock River Valley Pantry is also going to store the food for us and host our packing days at their pantry Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

9. Community Partnerships Target Providing all of the disposable bags for the Backpack Buddies project for the 2013-2014 school year Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

10. Community Sponsor Rockford Bank & Trust Community Sponsorship of $7,200 over 3 years Money is restricted to Project Money can be rolled over from year to year Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities

11. Sample Backpack Contents 2 breakfast items (cold cereal, instant oatmeal, healthy breakfast bar, etc.) 2 main dish items (soup, pasta meal, etc.) 2 100% fruit juice boxes (1 apple juice, 1 other-flavored juice) 2 fruits (fruit cups, raisins) 2 snacks (crackers, fruit snacks/roll-ups, granola bars, etc.) 1 dessert (pudding cup) 2 dairy (1 white milk, 1 flavored milk) 1 high-protein peanut butter cup Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.

12. Project Expansion Project will be expanding to 75-100 children in the Rockford Public Schools for the 2014-2015 school year Additional schools will be added Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.

13. Junior League of Rockford, Inc. Women Building Better Communities Women Building Better Communities Junior League of Rockford, Inc.