Throughout the Capital Region, hunger isn’t always apparent.  Throughout the North Colonie School District, parents drive nice cars, and students hurry to class, and it seems like everything is fine. But many classmates quietly skip meals or rely on cheap, processed food to get through the day.  This is a regular occurrence, as some students count on weekend backpack programs that send food home as a way to meet their basic food needs.

Hunger and food insecurity aren’t just a city or a local problem. It affects students, teachers, and working families here, too. Higher prices, job loss, and reduced federal food benefits all contribute. Teachers observe the effects every day as students struggle to focus because they are hungry and lack motivation to learn. Hunger causes headaches, tiredness, and anxiety, and due to cheaper foods, more people are getting obese because of these processed junk foods. It doesn’t just hurt grades in school, but it also keeps families stuck in stress and poor health.

This reality drove me to act. I volunteer at local pantries like the Al-Hidaya Soup Kitchen and school backpack programs, sorting food and packing bags. But we need more. I plan to organize large-scale food drives across North Colonie schools and partner with nearby districts like Menands to help tackle this issue. I’m also contacting legislators to push for expanded state anti-hunger funding.

While it takes time for policy changes, community action can’t wait. School drives and other food drives can help with this issue. No student should face class distracted by hunger and not do their personal best. Our schools’ hidden hunger doesn’t have to stay invisible, and if students, teachers, families, and leaders unite, we can create real, visible change.