No Child Should Go Hungry - Especially Not in the Summer
When schools close for summer, millions of children lose access to the meals they depend on. Across the U.S., nearly 14 million children face hunger—unsure where their next meal will come from. In the Deep South, the crisis is even more severe, with states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi reporting some of the highest child food insecurity rates in the nation.
The Salvation Army is stepping in to fill the gap, offering free meals, summer programs, and critical resources to help children thrive when the cafeteria doors close.
The Peril of Childhood Hunger in the Deep South
According to sources like Feeding America and the USDA,
- 1 in 4 children in Alabama and Louisiana may not know where their next meal is coming from.
- Alabama: Approximately 23.3% of children face food insecurity.
- Louisiana: About 21.6% of children live in food-insecure households.
- Mississippi: While child-specific rates vary, the overall food insecurity rate is 18.8%, indicating a significant impact on children.
- Child food insecurity rates can reach nearly 50% in some rural areas.
Why Is Childhood Hunger So Important?
Childhood hunger isn’t just about missing meals—it’s about missing chances.
- Hunger hinders learning: Children who are food insecure are more likely to struggle in school, experience developmental delays, and have behavioral issues.
- Health Concerns: Hunger increases the risk of chronic illnesses like asthma, anemia, and depression.
- Cycles of poverty deepen: Kids who grow up hungry are more likely to face poverty and health problems later in life.
These statistics underscore the urgent need to address childhood hunger in these states.
The Rising Cost of a Meal in 2025
Food is getting more expensive—and that means more kids are going hungry.
- In 2025, the average cost of a single meal is $4.11, the highest in more than 20 years.
- Prices are up 3% from last year, with food-at-home costs expected to rise by another 3.2%.
- For families already stretched thin, even small price hikes can mean skipping meals.
These rising costs hit the South especially hard. In states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi—where food insecurity rates are among the nation’s highest—families face impossible choices every day.
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How the Salvation Army Helps
Every summer, The Salvation Army helps children beat the odds through:
- Free Meal Programs: Thousands of nutritious meals served at parks, community centers, and mobile units in neighborhoods with the highest need.
- Mobile Feeding Units: Programs like Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen in Omaha deliver meals directly into underserved communities—over 10,000 meals served each summer.
- Youth Summer Camps: Safe, fun, and faith-based camps that offer more than food—building confidence, friendships, and brighter futures.
- Volunteer-Powered Outreach: Local partnerships and community volunteers make these programs possible.
Together, we’re doing more than feeding stomachs—we’re feeding potential.