When I was a child, my family faced financial struggles after my father left, leaving my mother to work tirelessly just to make ends meet. At a Sunday school class, we discussed the commandment “Thou shalt not steal,” and several kids raised hypothetical scenarios where stealing might be considered permissible, often relating to stealing food to feed a hungry family. Most of the kids dismissed such situations, confident they’d never face such hardships.
I remained silent, acutely aware of how close my own family was to that moral line. My father’s absence meant that empty fridges and cupboards were a frequent reality for us. The church occasionally provided trips to grocery stores, and I often wondered if we would one day be forced to steal food to survive.
Reflecting on those formative years, the current rise in food insecurity in the U.S. is alarming. A recent report by The Washington Post revealed that an estimated 54 million Americans are facing hunger this year – a staggering 45 percent increase since 2019. As food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC are being cut back, food banks are overwhelmed, with long lines and rising desperation among families.
Jeff Zisner, CEO of a security firm, noted that we are witnessing an increase in low-level crimes, with people stealing items primarily for sustenance, especially for children. The heartbreaking reality of parents resorting to theft to feed their families is palpable. Despite the hope brought by vaccine distributions, experts warn of a challenging winter ahead, with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, leading to more lockdowns and fluctuating employment.
Hunger relief organization Feeding America indicates that child hunger has reached unprecedented levels in the U.S., with around 15.6% of households facing food shortages. Federally-funded programs like Farmers to Families are running out of support, worsening the situation. Emily Slazer from New Orleans’ Second Harvest Food Bank shared the heartbreaking image of clients sleeping in their cars, waiting for food assistance in the early hours of the morning.
One poignant story from the report involved a woman named Sarah in Maryland. Juggling college, work, and childcare, Sarah had to quit her job when her daycare shut down, leaving her without unemployment benefits. In desperation, she began sneaking food into her child’s stroller at Walmart, telling herself that God would understand her actions. Each time, she would justify her choices, believing that stealing food wasn’t malicious but a necessary means to survive.
Interestingly, many store managers are choosing not to report minor theft incidents, citing the need to focus on other COVID safety measures, such as temperature checks and mask compliance. Ultimately, the driving force behind these actions is hunger and desperation – who can blame parents for their choices when faced with the inability to feed their children?
The unfortunate reality is that much of this situation could be mitigated. The COVID relief stimulus package has long expired, leaving families to navigate unprecedented unemployment and food insecurity. Congress must act decisively to pass a stimulus bill that addresses these dire needs and prevents families from resorting to theft for basic sustenance – a fundamental human right.
As a society, we must do better. While these times are undoubtedly tough, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our fellow Americans can access food without fear of criminal repercussions. This is the very least we can do.
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Summary:
Many families are turning to theft to feed their children amid rising food insecurity in the U.S., exacerbated by the pandemic and cuts to assistance programs. With millions facing hunger and desperate situations like those of Sarah in Maryland, the need for urgent action from Congress becomes clear. The collective responsibility to support struggling Americans is paramount, ensuring that no one has to resort to crime to secure basic necessities.
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