A MESSAGE TO WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

 It is okay that you may be food insecure. It is alright that you may not know that you were in the first place. It is fine that you may not what to admit that you are being assisted by the government to pay for college or receiving food stamps or well fare checks to make ends meet. You are still a human being. A beautiful human being that deserves to get an education as much as you deserve to EAT. Eat but eat healthy, not Big Macs every day. As a leading community college in the region. Westchester Community College is prepared with helpful resources to assist theses students in need.  They can assist may to receive aid to make it easier on your educational path. and if they cannot help you directly, there are websites that there every single day helping those food insecure. It is a make of are you more hungry than you are ashamed of being food insecure or malnourished. Or whether or not you truly are aware of your food insecurity.

Listed below are the websites of organizations that focus on food insecurity awareness and helping those in need,  That also provide more information that I could ever present. Or can help you local your local food pantries so you can get a well balanced meal in to help you on your way to receiving a college degree.

http://www.foodbankforwestchester.org/about-hunger/hunger-in-america

http://www.countyharvest.org/content.php?nid=15

http://www.bread.org/hunger/us/

https://www.nokidhungry.org/the-problem

http://www.feedingamerica.org/

HOW CAN WE STOP OR ASSIST IN LOWER FOOD INSECURITY 

             It is our duty as civil human being to help those that are suffering in hunger. We must put ourselves in either shoes and acknowledge the pain and suffering that many of these individuals are going through. Although, we may not be going through at the moment but we could go through food insecurity at any moment in our lives. this is why we should assist in our local food pantries, be more aware of how much food we actually waste, and donate to our local pantries.  In 2014 it was reported by the USDA that Americans wasted approximately 133 billions pounds of food out of 430 billion pounds of food. This is an enormous amount of food that we all don't take advantage and think its not necessary. Rather we should be more considerate and watch and eat only what we actually can fit in our stomachs. We can not afford to binge eat when other aren't eating at all.

       The graph below shows that the areas in Westchester county that have more revenue coming in don't really need assistance to be able to afford a meal. In the other hand, other areas like Mount Vernon  really do benefit from these food stamp assistance programs significantly. In addition, there should be a push for further assistance in these ares because what is is being done now is not helping out those that go under the radar. We are afraid to help out other individuals but we are more than hypocrites when we complain that no one helps us whenever we are in need. Rather it should be help out those in hunger and if ever a time in the future that we suffer we are going to be helped out because initiated first to help out those that once went through hardships.

The link I provided below is a power point than was published by Karl Bertrand for his meeting with county officials for a project he wanted to introduce he proposed a couple of years ago. This power point although a couple a years old, the statistic that are presented are somewhat accurate still. Probably they are even higher now which isn't a good sign. In addition, it also provides educational information on homelessness and poverty that is affluent in our county. We may be ranked the second most wealthiest county in all of America just behind of Beverly Hills but, this doesn't signify that we all are food insecure. Just like Westchester, Beverly Hills also faces these similar issues till this day.



 Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness in Affluent Westchester County


If the link does not work for some reason, you can also type Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness in Westchester County into the search bar in Google and the second link should take you to the downloadable power point.



This video also perfectly shows us how hunger is present in our county. IT IS A MUST WATCH!

HUNGER IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Congressional District	Communities  Included	%  Households with Food Hardship
17th	Mt. Vernon, W. Yonkers,	21.3%
18th	White Plains, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Chappaqua, E. Yonkers	8.8%
19th	Yorktown, Peekskill, northern Westchester	12.7%

THE MOST HUNGRY STATES 

Arkansas 21.2%

Mississippi 21.1%

Texas 18.0%

Tennessee 17.4%

North Carolina 17.3%

Missouri 16.9%

Georgia 16.6%

Ohio 16.0%

WHAT THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON ?

The rate of employment in these areas is very low. 

39	NORTH CAROLINA	8.0
41	GEORGIA	8.2
41	NEW JERSEY	8.2
41	TENNESSEE	8.2
44	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	8.3
44	KENTUCKY	8.3
46	MISSISSIPPI	8.6
47	MICHIGAN	8.8
48	CALIFORNIA	8.9
49	ILLINOIS	9.2
50	RHODE ISLAND	9.5
51	NEVADA	9.8

                                               

THE MILITARY OR SNAP PROGRAMS

S.N.A.P. signifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is designed to aid in anti hunger. It is the most important anti hunger program in place today. Without such a program many Americans would have gone hunger in  2014. Approximately 46 million low income individuals were able to meet substantial food standards. Although my family never seeked assistance from S.N.A.P. it is clearly seen that this program is impacting the  lives of other individuals that are suffering in this tough economic period. 

Although 46 million Americans are being helped out, when we consider the general population it is nothing significant.  In 2014, the US census reported about 318.9 Americans as the entire population. 

 This means that more than half of our population aren't really being aided in food supplies. Our government rather pass a $585 billion dollar budget for defensive purposes. They rather have us hunger and weak than happy and well feed. They believe that they are protecting us from foreign dangers when they are the only foreign dangers that are actually causing harm upon ourselves. They isolate them themselves from the people that they are assigned to serve rather than actually fix our problems.

THEY RATHER HAVE US EAT BULLETS THAN ACTUALLY GET A NUTRITIONAL MEAL.


They believe that we are going to be better off safe from enemies than well nourished. As those high up in our nation's legislation they are suppose to protect and serve us. But are they really protecting us if not eating properly is killing us slowly? Do they really want us to eat bowls of BULLETS? Or are they just confused in what our country really needs to be attended to.

In my own opinion, I believe the lust and perks of being in absolute control of over 300 million Americans is taking a toll on their view of certain things. Congressman, Senators, House Reps, and many others have their minds fogged up with issues that aren't really in favor of those that appointed them. Rather our government constantly bombarded our minds and news with constant reporting on our nation's "enemies" like ISIS or AL QAEDA. In the other hand, they neglect to inform or make a serious move towards decreasing the rate of hungry Americans. Is fighting terrorists groups worth it when those that are being protected aren't getting their fair share of food assistance because bullets are more important?

I don't know about you guys but, I personally do not like the taste of metal. When I used to have braces on during high school, i used to dread the taste of the wires and ceramic pieces. If our government rather have us eat bullets than actual food, than I rather stave. If our country can't take our nation's hunger rate serious than millions more will fall into this category due to the scarcity of employment. 

                   WHAT THE NEW 2015 HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL HAS IN STORE FOR US


   The 2015 House budget proposal released April 1 by Rep, Paul Ryan cuts $5.1 trillion over ten years, including $700 billion in interest savings. This is more than $4.7 trillion in cuts from 2014, The proposal also includes an 11 percent cut to the International Affairs budget. This would render food aid and other humanitarian and poverty focused development assistance programs less effective and would undermine out ability to combat hunger and poverty in the poorest countries.

I don't think not even one percent of our nation's population has ever seen 5.1 trillion dollars all at once. If I ever had the chance I know that I would go crazy. If you do the math 5.1 trillion in tens is about 1.5 million dollars per each  American that will be used for other unnecessary funds. In total it is about 150 billion dollars that are going to go to our military defense programs. Our nation rather leave us hungry and weary than actually make sure that we are really secure. The greatest security that every human being in the world can all relate to or desire is the food security.

Does it make sense to increase our military budgets each year by trillions, when there aren't really huge international problems facing America. Rather inside the homeland is a growing epidemic that  is growing everyday as millions of individuals are losing their jobs, homes, and feeling the effects of not having sufficient food assistance programs available.  Our nation as the world's most POWERFUL country is demonstrating ignorance and neglecting the obvious hardships that continue to impact citizens since the Great Depression.

Ask yourself, will our legislation's political actions and budgeting this year make us, the people, their greatest enemies. Will this budget proposal cause food fighters or anti-hunger activist to arise from the shadows of under reported news to defend what they strongly believe in? Only time will tell when more than 50 % of our nation's population will go food insecure like many other third world countries.

The link below basically breaks down the 2015 House Budget Proposal and backs up what was stated above. This video also talks about the effects of the budget towards Medicaid as well.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/17/republican-budgets-whack-_n_6885122.html

WHO IS BEING AFFECTED BY THE RISE OF FOOD COST ?

At the homestead, the most effected are the lower middle and poor class. Typically thses individuals are minorities such as African Americans, Latinos and many other groups. That are oppressed by the majority and at times are disabled from moving up in society. These individuals are required to work with what they have and make do with what is available. These are your typical individuals that make less than twenty two thousand and are barely able to make ends meet. In addition, some of theses individuals have families to themselves that they are responsible to raise. In every parent it gives them a sense of pride to be able to provide for your family.What would you do if you were one of theses individuals stressed out about piles of bill that are accumulating and have a family of more than two children? What if after paying all expenses such as rent, electricity,and medical bills, you are only left with barely enough to feed your family? what would you ultimately do? Who would you turn to ? 

Many turn to government assistance programs, In doing so many feel shame and humiliation. This should be the case because it is alright that you may need assistance. It is alright that in order to give the best for your family you must seek the extra help from the government or your local food pantries. Asking for help or receiving help is not an act of humiliation but an reinforcement of your livelihood.  

Causes for hunger in America to exist

The main reason why hunger is striking Americans viciously is only due to the fact that it has become very expensive. There really isn't any other way to afford food without raising the salaries or wages of these individuals affected. The cost of food has skyrocketed in the last ten years that it is becoming impossible to even afford a glass of milk. In this capitalist economy, food is now becoming another lucrative commodity just as petroleum.

Another reason why hunger exists in American is because accessing food is becoming tougher. In some areas the local grocery store is miles away and making it hard to reach theses stores. In addition, the people that live in theses areas are on the edge of the poverty line. Therefore, they can not afford to have an automobile to reach the food suppliers. Although, many do own a car, many can't afford to be wasting extra money it takes to fuel the car to get to the supermarket and the trip back. It could possibly leave them with no money for rent or other expenses.  

I picked this video because it perfectly depicts hunger in our homes. Many individuals do not know how to identify themselves with what considers yourself food insecurity. Many individuals are ashamed to be food insecure and therefore don't seek help. But many others just simply are rejected the help that they desperately need. In watching this video it could help you understand a little more what it really means to be food insecure. And if you are or have similarities with they families in the video don't be ashamed. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Food insecurity does not dehumanize you or make you an outcast. Rather that you just need a helping hand to get by for the time. If we aren't their for ourselves than who else will be their for you and me? The answer is no one because we will all be food insecure.

         CHILD HUNGER IN OUR NATION IN 2015

As we approach the future, we are not necessarily moving forward in a positive direction. With the emphasis of increasing military budget, as a nation we are disabling the extended assistance for families that can not make ends meet. If they can not make ends meet then they are also malnourished themselves. The breadwinners in these families are working unbelievable hours that along with malnourished they are simply over working their bodies improperly. To them this is the only way to be able to feed their children and for this act of non selfishness they should be recompensed for. Recompensed by being provided with food assistance programs such as food stamps, W.I.C. checks , or even the liberty to go to local soup kitchens.  But how can we provide theses services if legislation is cutting funding to theses programs drastically. That result in the closing of numerous food shelters, limitation in food stamps availability, and an increase in the number of individuals that go hungry.

A Fifth of American Go Hungry

This article is about how congress and the senate were thinking of possibly cutting funds for food stamp programs like the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program or Snap. This would increase the ratio of Americans that will not have sufficient funds to afford food, which is currently around twenty percent and still increasing.
I chose this because I believe that there is a food crisis that many Americans aren't aware of and should be aware of the food shortage crisis that is a growing concern. This could possibly affect my friends and family. In a nation that is about the people and for the people, this is not act of it. Also this will also be a topic that I could possibly deal with if I ever become a Senator for the state of New York.

http://www.projectcensored.org/category/top-25-censored-stories-from-2012-2013/

2014 Study of American Households that are victims to food insecurity


http://inquisitiveeater.com/2014/08/18/hunger-in-america-2014-study-released/