Myths About Hunger

Myth #1: Individuals cannot affect the world hunger situation: only governments and very rich and powerful people can make the needed changes.

Fact: One person can feed 200 children for a day for around 10 cents per child.

Myth #2: There isn't enough food in the world to feed everyone.

Fact: There is enough food produced worldwide to supply every man, woman and child with 3,000 calories/day, the consumption of the average American. World hunger is a matter of poverty and accessibility, not production.

Myth #3: Hunger is the result of overpopulation. If people had fewer children, they would not be hungry.

Fact: Ironically, hunger is one of the causes of overpopulation. Poor families need children to increase the likelihood that some will live to help the family survive. High birth rates are a symptom of inadequate nutrition resulting in high child mortality. Sierra Leone Africa is rated #1 in the world for infant mortality due in large part to hunger and famine.

Myth #4: We need to take care of our own hungry and poor in America first, before we try to help others.

Fact: Our "global economy" means that "their" problems are our problems, and vice versa. However, we are fortunate that only 7% of the world's malnourished children live in the U.S. Kids Against Hunger of Central Minnesota distributes approximately 10% of the food packaged to area food shelves and feeding programs in Central Minnesota.