A new school year is upon us, and with it, feelings of excitement and opportunity are in the air. However, for many families, this season is anxiety-inducing. While the cost of school supplies can be overwhelming in its own right, some parents are more concerned about providing their children with basic necessities, like food and housing. Ensuring that children have access to nutritious food and stable housing is essential to their academic success and overall well-being. Food Insecurity and Academic Achievement Hunger is not a quantifiable phenomenon – it’s a feeling. Therefore, researchers instead study food insecurity, which can be measured with hard data from the US Department of Agriculture. If a family is food insecure, it means that the struggle to feed everyone in the household. In 2022, Feeding America found that nearly 12,000 children in Bucks County were experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity impacts all members of the family, but it is particularly detrimental to children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Children facing food insecurity are at a higher risk of asthma and anemia. These conditions can limit their participation in school activities both in and outside the classroom. In addition, food insecurity also negatively impacts children’s emotional health. According to Feeding America, children experiencing hunger are more likely develop behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiety, and aggression. Moreover, food insecurity affects focus, motor skills, and retention, all of which are fundamental to a student’s success. The Role of Stable Housing in Student Success In addition to food security, safe and stable housing plays a crucial role in a child’s ability to thrive. Several challenges encompass housing instability, such as difficulty paying rent, frequent moves, and overcrowding. At the most severe level, housing insecurity manifests as homelessness – something exceptionally traumatizing for a child. A 2018 study found that children who moved more than three times by age 7 had significantly more cognitive issues than their peers from stable homes. Thus, providing children with a secure home environment is vital to their development. Today’s children are growing up in increasingly uncertain times, so we must work to ensure the youngest members of our community can rely on a steady roof over their head each night. A Vicious Cycle The adverse impacts of food and housing insecurity stretch beyond the present moment – they can alter a child’s future. These challenges contribute to the cycle of poverty, as children with subpar academic performance typically have less access to upward socioeconomic mobility. Therefore, it is critical that childhood hunger is eliminated in order to assure that every student has a fair shot at prosperity. How BCHG is Fighting Food Insecurity and Housing Instability Here at BCHG, our Supportive Housing Programs work to provide families in Bucks County with access to attainable housing. Additionally, our food pantries in Doylestown and Penndel provide low-income families with access to the nourishment they need. This summer, with the help of Bucks County Association of Realtors, Ann’s Choice, and the United Way, we held multiple back-to-school drives and equipped students with backpacks full of school supplies. Making a Difference Together With the first day of school rapidly approaching, it is imperative that Bucks County takes action to provide families with healthy, affordable food and steady housing. You can help ensure the future of our community is empowered to reach their full potential by volunteering, donating, or even holding a drive of your own!