Watch Hunger Hits Home

Hunger Hits Home is an eye-opening documentary that delves deep into the issue of childhood hunger in America. Released in 2012, the film takes a closer look at the reality of food insecurity in the lives of millions of children across the country. The documentary paints a sobering picture of the struggles faced by many families who are unable to afford basic necessities like food and how it takes a toll on children's health and well-being.

Directed by Lori Silverbush and Kristi Jacobson, Hunger Hits Home is a heartbreaking yet hopeful film. It chronicles the lives of four families - Vanessa, Rosa, Carl, and Brittany - and their daily battles with food insecurity. These families come from different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they all struggle to put food on the table.

The film starts with Vanessa, a single mother of four, who lives in the Bronx. Vanessa works long hours to provide for her children, but despite her best efforts, the family still struggles to make ends meet. They often rely on cheap, processed foods that lack nutritional value, which takes a toll on their health. Vanessa's youngest daughter, Ariana, is particularly vulnerable and suffers from obesity as a result of poor-quality food.

Next, we meet Rosa, a grandmother who is raising her two granddaughters in New Orleans. Rosa works as a nurse, but her job doesn't pay enough to provide for the family's basic needs. The family relies heavily on food assistance programs such as SNAP and the local food bank. Rosa is determined to provide her granddaughters with healthy meals, but the lack of fresh food options in their neighborhood makes it a challenge.

The third family we meet is Carl and his four children, who live in rural Pennsylvania. Carl is a single father who lost his job during the recession and struggles to find steady work. The family relies on a local food bank for their meals and often has to sacrifice other necessities to make ends meet. Carl's oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, worries about fitting in with her peers, who often have access to better-quality food.

Lastly, we meet Brittany, a mother of two who lives in New York City. Brittany is a college student who works part-time to provide for her family. She relies on food banks and other food assistance programs to supplement her income. However, she worries that her children may feel ashamed of their situation and tries to shield them from the reality of their struggles.

Hunger Hits Home also features interviews with experts in the field of childhood hunger, including Joel Berg, former Executive Director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and Tom Colicchio, celebrity chef and food activist. Their insights shed light on the root causes of food insecurity in America and the steps that can be taken to alleviate the problem.

Throughout the film, we see the devastating impact of food insecurity on children's health and well-being. We witness firsthand the struggles faced by families who are unable to provide for their children and the difficult choices they have to make. The film highlights the urgent need for action to address the issue of childhood hunger in America.

Despite the sobering subject matter, Hunger Hits Home is also a hopeful film. We see the resilience and determination of parents who are doing everything they can to provide for their children. The documentary also highlights the many organizations and individuals working to fight childhood hunger and provides information on how viewers can get involved and make a difference.

Overall, Hunger Hits Home is an important and timely film that sheds light on a critical issue that affects millions of children in America. It is a powerful call to action for viewers to take a stand against childhood hunger and to work towards a future where all children have access to healthy and nutritious food.