United Way Kicks Off Anti-Hunger Campaign With Focus On Nutrition

The United Way of Dane County‘s newest anti-hunger campaign focuses on exposing children to healthier food.

United Way says almost 20 percent of children in Dane County are “food insecure.” Those that are eating enough may not be getting nutritious food. United Way hopes to cut hunger in half and improve diets over the next 10 years. United Way of Dane County President Leslie Howard says children’s health starts with their stomach.

Howard: “When you think about the effect that has on children’s bodies, on children’s brains, children’s ability to succeed in school and to just live their lives…The fact we’re even talking about hunger in this day and age is a very sobering issue.”

The strategies to reduce hunger and improve nutrition aren’t new, but Leslie says they will be better coordinated. Those strategies include more nutritious offerings at food pantries, school meals and at neighborhood stores.

United Way also aims to sign more people up for food stamps. This comes at a time when congressional Republicans have called for billions to be cut from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.