In schools across the country, there is an increasing number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "8.6 million children experienced food insecurity in 2013," said an article on NPR.org. "When food gaps become chronic in these households, poor nutrition and stress can turn into long-term health consequences for adults and children."

More schools, the article said, "are stepping up to help these families."

"Feeding America, a network of U.S. food banks, says its School Pantry Program served more than 21 million meals to nearly 110,000 children nationwide in 2013 through a variety of models — including boxed meals, and sites where families choose items for their meals," NPR said.

Amaya Weiss, the learning support specialist at John Still K-8 school in California, "runs the Youth and Family Resource Center, which houses a food pantry for students and their families."

"The food pantry has "lots of Top Ramen, lots of soups, tomatoes," Weiss said. "My families love pasta, because it's easy to make. And sometimes the kids just come in here and say, 'I'm still hungry, can I have something to eat?' And then we give them that, too."

The article said Weiss "started seeking food donations from Sacramento churches a year ago after realizing many students couldn't count on weeknight dinners or weekend meals at home. [Her school does not receive support from Feeding America or any other national organizations.] The food pantry also gives Weiss a chance to connect with parents like Erica Johnson, a single mother of four. Johnson volunteers at the food pantry, and also relies on it. She says her food stamps run out by the 20th of each month."

"That's when it really gets hard," Johnson said in the article. "When I'm real low on food, it's like I wake up and I'm like, 'Okay, what are they going to eat — I have no clue what they're going to eat.' And I sit there, and I'm like ... ugh.So if we're like running real low on food, I'm like, 'Okay guys, here's the thing: We're almost out of food, so mom has to compromise.' " Johnson says.

Barbara Laraia, associate professor at the University of California Berkeley's School of Public Health, said that "with rising income inequality, the problem is not going away."

Laraia, the article said, "encourages policymakers to take note of what's working within community-based strategies, but also says that public schools like John Still shouldn't be left with the burden of poverty reduction."

"If a school is needing to address food insecurity above and beyond the school lunch and school breakfast program, that means that that school — and that community — is in crisis," Laraia said.

Read the full story and comment below. 

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor