Despite the government shutdown ending, many families continue to struggle with food insecurity, leaving food banks overwhelmed as demand remains high due to a broken food system. Communities around Connecticut are stepping in to fill in the gaps where federal assistance left off.
At Danbury High School (DHS), teachers and staff have been working to support students who struggle with food insecurity. Michelle Cole, a teacher and coach, is currently hosting a Thanksgiving meal drive.
Cole said she’s hoping to get everyone a turkey or a ham along with boxed goods, “We’re hoping to get everyone a meal. Hopefully, at that time we will have a donor with some fresh-baked rolls.”
Although the food drive provides short-term relief, the issue of food insecurity will continue after the holidays. Teachers have observed that students who don’t have access to nutritious food perform poorly not only academically but also mentally.
The No Kid Hungry article, “How Does Hunger Affect Learning,” documented that 80% of teachers observed the negative impact of hunger on concentration, 76% saw decreased academic performance, 62% saw behavioral issues increase, and 47% noticed children getting sick more often.
Vivi Almonte, a DHS cafeteria worker, says she regularly sees students come back for a second lunch, which is something she believes highlights a deeper issue.
“A second school lunch is very affordable, and for their own mental health, it’s a good thing. Sometimes when they get home, they don’t have anything to eat.”
DHS provides free lunches for all students, and a second meal costs $2, a small but important option for students who may not have access to food outside of school hours. Staff members say many students don’t disclose their struggles with food insecurity, which makes programs like these even more crucial.
John Pancak, DHS history teacher and academy mentor, agrees that school-based meal programs are vital.
“We serve free lunch here, which is really important. That’s something the teachers’ union has been working on for a long time because we know that school can provide a meal for everybody. It’s something we should consider providing additional meals for the weekend.”
Pancak highlights how deeply schools are involved in meeting students’ basic needs; however, it also reveals the limitations of what they can do to address those needs.
While schools and the district are helping students and families with the food insecurity issue, many believe systemic changes are needed to address long-term food insecurity.
Morgan Moore, DHS teacher and member of the Public Services Academy, offered ideas on how the school could expand its support for students.
“Child tax credits and increased funding for school nutrition programs would take a small weight off the shoulders of parents and open access to nutritious foods while cutting economic stress.”
These perspectives reflect what many teachers feel: national policies have a real impact on the needs students carry into school every day. When that support is not strong enough, it shows. This explains why teachers see food insecurity as a national problem.
“America is the wealthiest country in the world right now.” Pancak said, “Nobody should be homeless or deal with food insecurity.”
