Having access to a solid food supply from the key essentials provides the body with much needed nutrition that is absent from most foods available in low-income communities. Healthy food is often more expensive, whereas refined grains, added sugars, and fats are generally inexpensive and readily available in low-income communities. Households with limited resources to buy enough food often try to stretch their food budgets by purchasing cheap, energy-dense foods that are filling. In other words, they try to maximize their calories per dollar in order to stave off hunger.
The Need
Low-income neighborhoods frequently lack full-service grocery stores and farmers’ markets where residents can buy a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Instead, residents – especially those without reliable transportation – may be limited to shopping at small neighborhood convenience and corner stores, where fresh produce and low-fat items are limited, if available at all.
When available, healthy food, especially fresh produce, is often of poorer quality in lower income neighborhoods, which diminishes the appeal of these items to buyers. Low-income communities have greater availability of fast food restaurants, especially near schools.
"The feast or famine situation is especially a problem for low-income parents, particularly mothers, who often restrict their food intake and sacrifice their own nutrition in order to protect their children from hunger. Such a coping mechanism puts them at risk for obesity – and research shows that parental obesity, especially maternal obesity, is in turn a strong predictor of childhood obesity. Low-income families, including children, may face high levels of stress, which can lead to weight gain through stress-induced hormonal and metabolic changes as well as unhealthful eating behaviors."
Parental nutritional education is critical and the understanding of family eating styles. African American families tend to eat more fried foods and foods higher in sodium while Hispanic families tend to eat foods high in fat and starches. Our ethnic eating styles have contributed to a high risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. There are healthy substitutes that can be made so that we can enjoy family recipes; but we must provide community awareness and education. Also, unhealthy eating habits which pack on the pounds lead to high levels of stress and low energy among the parental family figure. Additionally, we tend to take the single most important factor for granted… SLEEP!
The Solution
The World Through Him, Inc. provides high quality food and clothing to the churches they establish in low-income communities to help support the community. The World Through Him, Inc. works with the respectable church organization they provide the building to. It is designed to help the faith-leaders who don’t have a building, be provided with one. As we help them, we together help the community with necessary food and clothing essentials. Essentially the program is designed to help individuals, families and the elderly not rely on government assistance, which promotes dependence of personal Faith, knowledge and growth.
The World Through Him, Inc. understands that they can’t provide high quality food to every low-income individual or family across the world alone or be in every community in need of this support. However, in leading by example, our vision is to grow through others, not be limited to or by other organizations that provide food and/or clothing. This, in turn, improves the lives of many.
The World Through Him, Inc. (888)-963-7213
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Food & Clothing Involvement
Inspired by I Timothy 6:6-8
