Did you know that in Knox County more than 12,000 children live with food insecurity? Many households do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and rely on their local food pantries
for support.
Food insecurity is defined as the disruption of food intake or eating
patterns because of lack of money and other resources. Household food insecurity has many detrimental effects on the health and development of young children, including increased hospitalizations, poor overall health, iron deficiency, and developmental and behavior problems such as aggression, anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder.
FISH Hospitality Pantries believes that every child deserves consistent, healthy and nutritious meals. In addition to the nearly 2,000 family food packages provided each week, every child coming to our pantries receives his or her own individual Kid’s Boost food bag filled with kid-friendly, nutritious food items such as fresh fruit, string cheese, yogurt tubes, milk, juice, raisins, fig & granola bars, etc. All Boost food items contain no dyes, preservatives or other-than-natural healthy ingredients. Many children begin eating immediately after receiving their Boost Bag. •