Child hunger in America is at an all-time high, according to Feed America, a nonprofit group charged with alleviating hunger and food insecurity in America. Because of the pandemic, child food insecurity and hunger are expected to eclipse the previous record high in 2009 at the height of the Great Recession.

Food insecurity is defined by the federal government as the inability of a household to provide enough food for every person in the household to have an active, healthy life. It is estimated one in nine people in the United States struggles with hunger.

Locally, we have the Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, a number of active food banks, free school lunches and churches that host free community dinners.

In a functioning democracy, it is the responsibility of the state and the individuals to tackle hunger to help create a successful citizenry.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 835 Third St., Fullerton, allowed an Eagle Scout to construct two display boxes on church property. One box would be for nonperishable food and the other for books.

Linking food and books are twin nourishment. The slogan on the display boxes are “Feeding people. Body, mind and spirit.”

A church leader commented on the steady flow of people both picking up and donating food and books.

Although a small effort, it is emblematic of the responsibility of all who can assist those in need. For the person needing food from the display box, it is no small thing.

Whether the motivation to give is compassion, taking care of others or an understanding of a successful society, it requires all to help to ensure a healthy community continues.

An African/Nigerian proverb of note says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Certainly, eliminating food insecurity is a first step.

Those two small display boxes and other small efforts are a big part of the solution.