It’s time to stop sugarcoating the issue.

Looking the other way, pretending the problem doesn’t exist, or clutching at outdated myths that paint hunger as a problem experienced only by “others” — other countries, other states, other types of people with other work ethics or other values — limit our ability and determination to solve the problem — and it is solvable.

Let’s take a look at some common myths and delve deeper to the realities.

Myth: The world’s hungry children are in undeveloped areas such as Haiti, India and Africa.

Fact:
America is not immune; one in six of us struggles to obtain the food we need.9

Myth: Most hungry people are homeless.

Fact:
In North Carolina, only 12% of those served by our food pantries are homeless.9

Myth: Hungry children are in families where no one works.

Fact:
In 33% of hungry families in NC, at least one adult is employed.9

Myth: Hunger mostly affects certain kinds of people.

Fact:
Hunger is not discriminatory. It is present in people of all walks of life, people who are going to work every day, trying to feed their families.

Myth: Plenty of food is available at food pantries and soup kitchens.

Fact:
More than 28% of the food banks in NC have had to turn people away, and 31% have had to reduce quantities.9

Myth: School food programs cover a lot of the problem.

Fact:
Some families don’t apply for free or reduced-fee meals at school due to shame. Among those who do use the programs, children often lack food on weekends, during school vacation and at dinner. And on days when parents don’t have the money for even the reduced-fee lunch program, they are sometimes forced to send notes to school asking that their children not be fed.

Myth: The same people receive food assistance year after year.

Fact:
Most of the increased demand can be attributed to people who have never had to ask for food assistance before.

Myth: Most people are well nourished, getting three meals a day.

Fact:
Even those who eat three meals a day may be malnourished because of the quality of what they eat.