Our Works of Charity / David Bethuram

Catholic Charities works to address hunger in all its dimensions

Feeding those in need is a daily mission for Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Hunger is a universal concept—but for families living on the edge, it’s a relentless cycle of impossible choices: heat or food, medicine or groceries. September marks National Hunger Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the complexity of hunger and the many faces it wears.

According to Feeding America’s 2025 report, more than 1,033,890 Hoosiers are facing food insecurity—including 292,720 children. That’s one in seven people, and one in five children across Indiana.

The consequences of childhood hunger are profound and far-reaching:

• Children facing hunger are more likely to repeat a grade, score lower on standardized tests, and struggle with behavioral and emotional regulation.
• Chronic malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and long-term cognitive delays.

But the impact doesn’t stop with the child—it ripples through every aspect of family life:

• Mental health: Hunger fuels stress, anxiety and depression. Parents often carry guilt and shame, while children internalize fear and insecurity.
• Physical health: Malnutrition contributes to chronic illness, fatigue and developmental delays.
• Education: Hungry children are more likely to fall behind academically and face behavioral challenges.
• Employment: Adults in food-insecure households may miss work due to illness or caregiving responsibilities, deepening the cycle of poverty.
• Family dynamics: Hunger strains relationships. Parents skip meals to feed their children, while kids shoulder emotional burdens far beyond their years.

One of those faces belongs to Destiny, a mother of three navigating a reality that’s often invisible to the outside world.

Destiny didn’t experience hunger the way most of us imagine. Her stomach growled, but she couldn’t feel it. She called it “starvation mode.” Her body had adapted to scarcity, but her spirit was stretched thin. With her children entering their teenage years, she was determined to provide—but life kept throwing obstacles in her path.

She had distanced herself from her family, hoping for a fresh start. But that fresh start felt farther away each day. Her boyfriend had left, her benefits were dwindling, and the occasional housecleaning jobs barely covered the basics. She’d stare into her cupboards, praying there was enough soup or beans to make it through another lunch.

As food became scarcer, Destiny began skipping meals. The toll was swift and severe. She was constantly exhausted but couldn’t sleep. Hunger made her nauseous. Her thoughts scattered. Her body weakened. She walked through her home with one hand on the furniture, steadying herself against the dizziness caused by an undiagnosed iron deficiency.

But her greatest concern wasn’t her own health—it was her children’s. They noticed. They asked questions. “Why are you dizzy?” “Why do you take those pills?” One day, Destiny came home to find a glass of milk waiting for her. Her son had poured it and insisted she drink it, watching to make sure she finished every drop.

That moment broke her heart. Her children shouldn’t have to worry about her. She feared not just the physical effects of hunger. She also realized the emotional scars it might leave on her kids.

Destiny’s story is not unique.

The consequences of childhood hunger are deep and enduring—affecting physical development, mental health and future opportunities.

Catholic Charities is committed to addressing hunger in all its dimensions: physical, emotional and spiritual. We walk alongside families like Destiny’s, offering support, dignity and hope. Our mission goes beyond meals: We help families pursue education, employment and healing.

Because no child should have to pour a glass of milk out of fear for their parent’s well-being.
 

(David Bethuram is executive director of the archdiocesan Secretariat for Catholic Charities. You can contact him at dbethuram@archindy.org.) †