Just released this afternoon:  “Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers Report.” Because teachers are on the frontlines of this battle, Share Our Strength wanted to hear directly from them about the hunger they witness in the classroom. One thing rings loud and clear: childhood hunger is having an impact on students’ ability to learn.

98% of teachers believe there is a strong connection between eating a healthy breakfast and a student’s ability to concentrate, behave and perform academically. That statistic may not surprise you, but here are some that will: 65% of K-8 teachers see students coming to school hungry because they are not eating at home, and 61% of those teachers use their own money each month to buy food supplies for the hungry children in their class. Here’s a link to Share Our Strength’s teacher survey web page, or you can get the full report in PDF format here.

Stop what you’re doing and read this disturbing, and heartbreaking report. Now.