In 2020, for the fourth year in a row, the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked New Mexico 50th in the nation in education. Though our state has made improvements in reading and math proficiencies in recent years, we still lag behind national numbers. Though it may seem odd for a food pantry to bring up school, these educational outcomes may be more intertwined with hunger than you might think. Hunger has a proven affect a children’s performance in school. Moreover, 1 in 5 children in New Mexico are experiencing hunger, many year-round. From rising numbers of families seeking food, as well as input from other organizations across the state, the Storehouse believes that food insecurity in New Mexico is on the rise. In our work, and knowing we support about 20,000 children a year at our pantry, the Storehouse wants to be part of the solution. Perhaps focusing on making sure our smallest residents have food to eat should be among the ways we can change the educational landscape in our state. Especially since we know that hunger impacts education and the outcomes of our youth.
Educational Impacts of Hunger by Age
Food insecurity can be especially detrimental in early child development. Hunger in the first five years of a child’s life impairs a child’s learning ability and development as they grow and in the long term. In fact, babies and toddlers facing hunger or food insecurity are two thirds more likely to have developmental delays than other children. This is even more concerning when you learn that food insecurity disproportionally affects families with young children (ages 0-4). This is largely due to the costs associated with having an infant, such as medical bills, childcare, parents lessening work hours to care for children, and more—not to mention the high costs of baby formula and diapers.
More effects of hunger on academic performance become apparent with school-aged children. Students who go hungry have problems with concentration, behavior, and health. Additionally, because school is a time for social growth, hunger causes not only academic, but social setbacks as well. Overall, students who face food insecurity are less likely to graduate high school. New Mexico’s graduation rates are below the national figures, too. Hunger definitely plays a role in these numbers.
Schools do provide free breakfast and lunch to students that qualify. However, hunger remains a problem outside of school hours. Parents are juggling rent, transportation and food costs. As a result, meals may get missed or be smaller or less nutritious. Furthermore, because a lot of children and their families in New Mexico depend on those meals, school breaks are tough for local families. Case in point, one national survey found that 41% of families struggle to find food for their children during school breaks.
The Storehouse Is Making a Positive Impact on Hunger & Education
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. If we keep New Mexico’s children fed, they can do better in school, creating a ripple effect of better educational outcomes and a stronger economy for our state. The Storehouse has been seeing a record number of families and children and we are happy to be part of fighting hunger in our community. In 2023, the Storehouse fed approximately 20,000 children. Last year, in November 2023, we served a record number of over 6,000 people in one month, with over 3,000 of those being children. This November, we expect to break that record. We also provide books and other resources to local families whenever we can.
If you know a family you think might be missing meals, let them know the Storehouse is a free source of groceries in times of need. Our calendar and how to get information is on the Need Food page of our website.
You Can Help Fight Hunger & Improve Education Outcomes Too!
We need your help to continue this momentum to feed a growing number of people who are going hungry. If you or your organization want to make an impact on education and children in New Mexico, consider supporting the Storehouse. Second, you can host a food drive. Use your own container or we can deliver bins to your business. Third, you can volunteer at the pantry. You can sort food donations, pack boxes or carts with food, or help answer phones, for example. Individual volunteers and groups up to 15 are welcome. Finally, you can donate to fight hunger. Every dollar donated to the Storehouse buys 5 meals for families in need. A $25 recurring monthly gift would feed a local child. In November and December 2024, Sandia Area is also matching gifts so your donation could go twice as far. Find out ways to help us financially on our donate page.
However you can help us fight hunger, you will be making a difference in the educational outcomes for the children we are able to feed thanks to your support. Children preparing for and going to school now are counting on us. What’s more is that our community needs the educated, healthier adults they can grow up to be. Working together, we can improve the stats on hunger and education in New Mexico.