Food Insecurity

 

Food insecurity is a topic my blogger friend Mae has been writing about since 2007, and possibly even before.  She primarily focuses on a local food bank that helps people in her community with food insecurities.  In several of her posts, she offers staggering statistics, many of which pertain to children.  I urge you to visit her blog, fittingly called Mae's Food Blog and search for the phrase "food insecurity."  You will be surprised and amazed if you are not familiar with the work she has done to bring this problem to the blogging community's attention. 

One thing Mae doesn't touch on however, is food insecurity in the military.

I was recently reading about the problems with food insecurity in the military and how it affects the children and their mothers who live stateside.   The article went into great detail about the various reasons the military are very often food insecure.

One thing that caught my attention was changing demographics.  For years and years, most enlisted men were 18 to 21 and single.  They often lived on base wherever they were stationed.  They had many of their needs met, including their meals, and they spent most of their extra money on things young people in the military used to buy: beer, whiskey, gambling, cigarettes, women, and drugs.

Times have certainly changed, but military rules have not.  Now most military service people are older, are married, and have at least one or more dependents.  When not in country, they leave their families behind to survive on what pittance the government pays them.  When in country, they share the same problems of food insecurity.  Many end up borrowing from their parents, siblings, or other family members just so they can put food on the table.  Food is often one of those items that takes a back seat to other bills.

 

Oftentimes a second income is not possible.  Take for instance the wife who has an advanced degree in elementary education.  She can never work in one place long enough to ever accrue retirement benefits.  She would move wherever her husband is stationed, so would lose any retirement benefits she may have received at her previous employment.  

 

It's even harder for women with only a bachelor's or no degree.  Their chances of finding sufficient employment that would cover babysitting and other expenses make it hard for them to justify working outside the home, especially if they have several children.

 

It's no secret many military bases are located in cities with high costs of living.  Granted, the military pays for housing, whether on base or not.  However, and this is the rub, that housing allowance counts as income.  That added "income" often keeps military families from qualifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

 

The USDA estimates that in 2019, there were only 22,000 active duty service members in households that received SNAP.  

That's why many military families now

depend on food banks to help feed them.

I admit that I find this disturbing.  Our military protects and serves us, yet cannot put healthy food on their tables.  I hope this is something you consider when you give a gift to a military family.  Fresh fruit, veggies, and milk will all be welcome I'm sure, since most food banks get donations of canned goods and "junk food."  If you live anywhere near a military base and you can afford to do so, please donate what you can.  If you are unable to donate money or fresh fruits or veggies, consider donating your time to package and distribute the food to these deserving military families.  One final thing you can do is join the Campaign to End Hunger.

 

All food and drink images came from various magazines.  The words were computer generated and most everything was sewn in place using two different variegated threads.  You might be able to see where I ran out of thread while sewing the page title.

Because these statistics were so overwhelming, and these military families are in such dire need, I am Inspired to join Erika, aka BioArtGal and Chris, aka Pearshapedcrafting our hosts this month at Art Journal Journey with my take on food insecurity in the military.  I also want to thank Mae for inspiring me and this journal page.  Obviously, this will be my final journal entry honoring Eileen's theme since we welcome a new host tomorrow.   Thank you beyond belief for joining me today.  You have NO idea how grateful I am.   

 

I also want to thank both Erika and Chris for co-hosting this month.  I am simply thrilled you two picked up Eileen's theme and ran with it.