*The following lesson was written in partnership with 2nd grader Reese V.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw food insecurity as a crisis in our country. He felt everyone should have enough food to eat. Fighting hunger for Dr. King went beyond just providing meals. Fighting hunger requires systematic change.
In the book Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt, we will learn and understand more about food insecurity. While you are listening to the read-aloud, think about what you do when you are hungry and be prepared to share how you would define “food insecurity”.
Step 1: Listen to the read-aloud and discuss the questions below:
- When we think about “food” and “security,” we know that food keeps us healthy and security means we’re safe. Being healthy and safe are two very important factors in our lives. Think about the opposite of food security. How would you define “food insecurity”? In your opinion, is it having to eat less food, is it skipping meals to save money, is it that you are unable to afford balanced meals, or is it something else? Share your thoughts.
- In what ways do you think food insecurity would have an impact on the life of a student in your class?
- In what way do you think young people could be effective in fighting hunger in their community? For example, you could organize a food drive by taking the following steps:
- Put a big box in your classroom.
- Make signs that tell everyone in your school what the box is for.
- Connect with a person in your local government to identify food banks/food kitchens near you where you can send the food you have collected.
- In the book Maddi’s Fridge, Maddi asks Sofia to promise not to tell anyone about her empty refrigerator and why it is empty. Do you think Sofia should keep the promise or not? Be prepared to support your point of view.
- Sofia and her mom helped Maddi, her mom, and her brother. How do you think Maddi and her family benefitted from the help? How do you think Sofia, her mom, and her brother benefitted from helping Matti and her family?
- Draw a picture or sign that welcomes people into a food kitchen…
- One out of every five kids in the United States is at risk of having an empty fridge like Maddi. Maybe Sofia’s family can help feed Maddi and her family for some time but likely not forever. What ideas do you have for a long-lasting solution to a family’s struggle with food insecurity?