Child hunger in St. Louis has been an ongoing issue. Many children are suffering from poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. Chronic under-nutrition in early life has been linked to reduced schooling, poor cognitive skills, and lower earned wages by the children’s parents or single-parent households.
I myself growing up in poverty witnessed this first hand as a child. From my experiences, people who are raised in the poorest conditions begin life at a great disadvantage. Children who miss meals are most likely to have problems in school and develop bad social habits.
Black children are more than twice as likely to face hunger as white children because of systemic racial injustice. I strongly believe that children facing hunger are more likely to be hospitalized and face higher risks of health conditions.
To end child hunger, we must address the inequalities that make it difficult for families. That’s why I’m proud to see a husband and wife truly support a meaningful cause.
Antonio Ellis and Latoshia Ellis who has a non-profit organization named Equitable Education Partnership and who owns the Five Acre Bar B Que on Shaw Boulevard near I-44 and Tower Grove Park, will be serving free breakfast and lunch to children seven days a week,
I feel this amazing gesture should increase awareness of child hunger and inspire more people to want to do something to solve this hunger problem. There are many ways that people can help out such as volunteering, organizing food drives, and even making donations.
Five Acre Bar B Que restaurant meals will be served every day Sunday through Saturday. Breakfast runs from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Lunch starts at 10:30 a.m. and continues until 12:30 p.m. The Grant for the program will run until August 20th.
