Think about the last time you skipped breakfast. And maybe by lunchtime, you were too busy to grab something to eat. By the time you got home for dinner, you were famished and looking forward to whatever was on the table. But what if nothing was on the table? Or, what if the only thing in the refrigerator was some peanut butter and crackers… and you have two small children to feed? This is what food insecurity feels like for thousands of families in Howard County everyday.
“We used to call it ‘peanut butter poor’,” said Jessica Nichols, board of directors chair for Columbia Community Care (CCC), a Howard County-based nonprofit working to address hunger. “My mother would give us each a spoonful of peanut butter before bed in the hopes that would keep us satisfied enough to sleep and make it to school the next day.”
Nichols, who grew up in Howard County and now teaches at River Hill High School, says that food insecurity was a persistent problem in her childhood, but even some of her closest friends were not aware that she was struggling.
“It can be easy to look around at our community and think that we do not have these kinds of problems,” said Erika Chavarria, founder and executive director of CCC. “But the reality is that they are just hiding in plain sight. And until we can break some of the myths and stigmas around hunger and why people are struggling, then we are never going to be able to solve the problems in a meaningful, lasting way.”
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is defined as a lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. This could be caused by limited income, living in an area with few or no grocery stores, lack of access to transportation, or physical, mental, or other disabilities.
“The bottom line is, when people are hungry they need food. The reasons don’t matter,” said Chavarria. “We have never required an explanation, and we never will. Anyone who asks for help at a CCC food pantry will receive it.”
Chronic food insecurity can cause significant impacts to mental and physical health and wellbeing, academic and job performance. That is why, said Chavarria, that CCC is committed to breaking the stigma for those in need and helping educate and empower the community to help.
Myths about Food Insecurity
Myth 1: Food Insecurity is Only a Problem in Urban or Rural Areas
One of the most pervasive myths is that food insecurity is confined to large cities or rural communities, where economic disparities tend to be more visible. However, higher median-income areas, such as Howard County, mask the struggles of many residents. The rising cost of living, combined with wage stagnation, means many families are struggling to make ends meet—even in areas that seem prosperous.
Myth 2: Food Insecurity Only Affects the Unemployed
Another myth suggests that only unemployed individuals experience food insecurity. However, many food-insecure households include working adults, often holding multiple jobs. In Howard County, the high cost of housing, healthcare, and other essentials means that low-wage workers frequently have little left over for food.
Columbia Community Care, which does not request income verification from those who request services, reports that families with stable employment can find themselves in need of food assistance. Food insecurity is not just about having a job; it’s about having enough income to cover all basic needs, which is a growing challenge for many.
Myth 3: People Can Just Rely on Government Assistance
While programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provide crucial support, they often fall short of meeting the total needs of food-insecure families. In Howard County, many residents do not qualify for assistance, despite their need, due to strict income thresholds. Columbia Community Care fills these gaps, providing supplemental food resources without barriers to entry. Food distribution programs like CCC’s ensure that families receive the help they need without navigating complicated eligibility criteria.
Myth 4: Food Insecurity is a Temporary Problem for Most Families
Many people believe that food insecurity is a short-term issue. However, for many families, it is a chronic condition, exacerbated by systemic issues such as the high cost of living and lack of access to affordable healthcare. Volunteers at Columbia Community Care food pantries have observed that while some individuals or families may need help to overcome a short-term setback, such as a job loss or unexpected expense, other families rely on food assistance to fill a weekly gap in food expenses.
Myth 5: Only the Unhoused (Homeless) are Food Insecure
This is just wrong. In fact, most food-insecure individuals in Howard County have a roof over their heads. They are children, working families, seniors, and even college students. However, many are “housing cost-burdened,” meaning they spend a significant portion of their income on housing, leaving little for other essentials like food. Columbia Community Care’s food distribution centers serve residents from all walks of life, including families, the elderly, and single parents.
Addressing the Realities of Food Insecurity
Understanding the realities of food insecurity is essential for creating effective solutions. Columbia Community Care is dedicated to providing accessible resources and programs that address the root causes of food insecurity, such as educational and job opportunities. These systemic challenges require collective action – and it starts with being engaged and connected to your community, fostering compassion, and creating opportunity for change.
“This is not just about hunger, it is about creating just and equitable communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Chavarria. “Addressing food insecurity means working with and within the community to address root cause issues, keeping social justice, health and healing at the forefront. We cannot simply apply a bandaid, we need to ensure that we are breaking the cycle for future generations.”