We often think of education as a child's ticket to a brighter future, yet for many, the journey is hampered before it even begins. The reason? An empty plate.

In communities like Lewis County, childhood hunger isn't just a statistic—it’s a harsh, daily reality. A growing body of research and local evidence reveals how hunger directly impacts a child's ability to learn, grow, and ultimately, succeed.

The New Reality: Rising Hunger in Our Community

According to the 2024 Washington State Food Security Survey, conducted by the University of Washington and WSU, 55% of Washington households reported experiencing food insecurity—an alarming jump from 49% in 2023. Both rural and urban families were affected, and Lewis County ranked among the counties with the highest food insecurity rates.

• 16.4% of Lewis County residents experience food insecurity
• 24.5% of Lewis County children lack reliable access to nutritious food

These numbers tell us one thing clearly: the hunger crisis is deepening.

The Silent Sabotage: How Lack of Food Undermines Learning

Imagine trying to solve a math problem on an empty stomach or attempting to focus on a reading passage while your thoughts are consumed with hunger. For thousands of children in Lewis County, this isn’t hypothetical—it’s daily life.

• Impaired Concentration and Memory: Food-insecure children have lower memory recall and a harder time processing new information—making it harder to focus, learn, and retain knowledge.
• Delayed Cognitive Development: Chronic hunger can reduce IQ levels by up to 10 points. Essential nutrients like iron, protein, and omega-3s support healthy brain growth.
• Behavioral and Emotional Challenges: Hunger increases stress and anxiety, often causing irritability, hyperactivity, or withdrawal.
• Lower Academic Achievement and Absenteeism: Food-insecure students are twice as likely to repeat a grade and miss school more frequently due to illness or fatigue.

A Lewis County Success Story: The Power of a Full Backpack

During a recent Lewis County Footsteps of Hope event, the Centralia School District superintendent shared a moving story. One student, previously struggling in school, began receiving weekend backpack meals. Their academic scores rose from the 60s to the 80s. “Once food was no longer a worry, their academic performance improved dramatically,” the superintendent noted.

Fueling Futures Starts with Us

At Lewis County Footsteps of Hope, our mission is simple but urgent: ensure no child has to learn on an empty stomach. Through school-based food pantries, healthy snack programs, and weekend backpack meals, we are directly addressing the hunger barrier to learning.

What You Can Do Today

• Donate: Provide weekend meals, snacks, and pantry supplies.
• Sponsor a School Pantry: Keep a school’s pantry stocked for a month.
• Host a Drive: Organize food, coat, or shoe drives with your business or community group.
• Spread Awareness: Share this blog, talk to neighbors, and raise awareness online.

💬 Final Thought

No child should be forced to choose between hunger and education. In Lewis County, the gap between potential and success is often just one meal wide. Together, we can close that gap—one backpack, one pantry, one student at a time. Let’s build a future where every child is fed, focused, and free to thrive.