A time of need—mission side effects

The holidays are a special time in the lives of most Americans. Family and friends exchange warm greetings and there is a spirit of hope for a better tomorrow. Indeed, as 2021 ends there are many things for which we can be thankful as we look to the year ahead. Yet, there are many military families who continue to struggle. Apart from the normal stressors such as deployments, PCS cycles, and promotion pressures, there are ongoing issues with spouse employment, child education, and finding affordable daycare. COVID-19 exacerbates each of these issues. Plus, the recent spike in inflation is causing more concerns in terms of affordable housing, rising fuel costs, and food insecurity.

It is food insecurity, a basic human need, that is especially cause for concern during the holiday season.

There are approximately 160,000 service-members who cannot afford to put food on the table. In fact, Feeding America estimates that in the last year, 29 percent of troops in the most junior enlisted ranks were impacted by food insecurity. This was before the spike in prices at the pump and in the grocery store.

 

 

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