Ingredients And Nutritional Values : Feed My Starving Children Hosted A Volunteer Event At Coon Rapids Essay

It is said to be six main vitamins that our bodies needs. The vitamins being: vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K.

Vitamin B12 is important in the growth of cells. The body needs the cells to carry oxygen and nutrients to the body. B12 also works with the nervous system function. It makes up are bodies genetic material, and is essential for the production of red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 is Part of coenzymes used in new cell synthesis; helps to maintain nerve cells. Vitamin A Helps maintain good vision (necessary for night vision), resistance to infections, and supports growth and repair of body tissues. Vitamin D is part of the bone-making and bone maintenance team. Regulates absorption of calcium and phosphorus for bone health.

It was difficult to read that countless millions of federal dollars and many of our country's most successful efforts to halt the spread of childhood hunger and starvation have recently been withdrawn. And as a result, this problem of childhood hunger is not getting better but is actually getting worse. The most recent estimates compiled by the USDA in 1999 indicate that 36.2 million Americans live in food-insecure households, which means that their access to adequate and safe food is limited or uncertain. This too is very disturbing information.

Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, and pantothenic acid are B vitamins needed to produce ATP from carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Vitamin B6 is important for amino acid metabolism as well as energy production. Folate is a coenzyme that is needed for cell division. Vitamin B12, only found in animal foods, is needed for nerve function and to activate folate. Vitamin C is needed to form connective tissue and acts as a watersoluble antioxidant. Vitamin A is essential for vision, and it regulates cell differentiation and growth. Vitamin D is necessary for bone health. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting.

During the time I spent volunteering at John C. Lincoln’s Food Bank, I was able to provide food, individual hygiene items, and infant supplies to families struggling to obtain these critical items for their families. When I first arrived at the food bank, I spent time constructing care packages with soap, toothbrushes, personal wipes, and other essential items for health care. Later in the day, I had the unique opportunity to assist with the simulated grocery store within the food bank. The structure of the store allowed individuals receiving food to feel as though they were actively participating instead of passively accepting food and feeling helpless. Overall, I was able to instill a sense of self-efficiency in individuals who were struggling to provide for their families while personally interacting and sharing my time in a meaningful way.

The non-profit organization that I chose for the semester project is Feeding America, a non-profit organization that consists of a network of food banks assisting food insecure people throughout the nation. What does a food insecure family look like in the United States? It is parents going without food in order to feed their children, it is families rationing food and skipping meals.

Hunger is a big social issue facing America today. According to (“Do Something.com”) 1 out of 6 people face hunger in the US. Also 49 Million Americans Struggle to put food on the table. America is the best country in world, we shouldn’t have so many people hungry. Many people have thought of fixing this problem but one company has found a way to help fix this problem, this company is Feeding America. They have been giving people food since 1979. They’ve helped out 46 million Americans. ( feedingamerica.org )

Boosting your immune system,Vitamin D helps your body regulate the absorption of your calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin A and D have showed unexpected and crucial effects on immune system. Vitamin A includes innate immune towards microbial infection, absence of vitamin A can increase the chance of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infection. Also excessive intake of vitamin A Is associated with toxicity, including blocked hematopoiesis, mitogen-induced T-cell spread, antigen-specific antibody production, and an increased susceptibility to infectious organisms. Vitamin A is also given by Retinoid supplement to treat the skin effects of T-cell lymphoma. Vitamin C also known as Ascorbic Acid also contribute in innate immunity system, Vitamin C works during infection to prevent oxidative damage. Lower concentration of vitamin C in leukocyte is related to reduce immune response in humans. It has been proven that Vitamin C concentrations in the plasma and leukocytes rapidly decline during infections and stress. Iron chelators such as desferrioxamine inhibit the activity of phagocyte oxidase and reduce reactive oxygen intermediate-dependent killing of bacterial pathogens, both in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, Zinc is a dietary trace mineral that is responsible for growth and development, and it is essential for the function of cells of the immune system. It increased susceptibility to

These vitamins and minerals do help other parts of the body, however, one of the most important is

A typical Poulin Family Saturday includes smells of pancakes and butter, fresh air accompanied with yard work, and lots of homework. On one Saturday in June, my mom stopped us in stride and reminded us that this Saturday we would be packing meals with Feed My Starving Children. I didn’t know what to expect and honestly I spent more time thinking about what I would wear (picking out my outfit) to/for the event than what I would actually be doing there. When we got to Calvary E Free Church, the FMSC staff showed us a video about chronically hungry children around the world and how Feed My Starving Children provides nutritious meals to these children…so they can survive. It was hard to look at the pictures of the malnourished kids. It was too painful…For two hours we packed rice, soy, vegetables, and vitamins in small bags and loaded them onto a semi...I went home and totally forgot about this experience. The emotion I felt during the true stories was just that…emotion.

Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is needed for growth and maintenance of healthy tissues, especially skin, blood vessels, bones, gums, teeth. Vitamin C aids in resistance against infection and healing of wounds. It also helps the body absorb iron from food. Vitamin C can be found in green vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon. A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, iron deficiency and poor wound healing. A healthy diet

Vitamin C is crucial for survival for several reasons. For a human body to reach the acme of its physical potential, it must have a daily intake of vitamin C. Deficiency can lead to a fatal symptom known as scurvy. Likewise, iron absorption will be more difficult resulting in iron-deficiency anemia (Smith, Primio & Humphrey-Murto, 2011). However, this nutrient is essential for bodily functions as well. Vitamin C is required for hormone production which is seen by the fact that the highest concentration of it in the human body is in the pituitary and adrenal glands (Emsley, 2004). Moreover, this vitamin aids in protection against free radicals and stress. Vitamin C is also imperative because it assists in the growth of various body parts, including teeth, cartilage, and dentine. This acid is integral for bone development and to heal fractured or broken bones. As said before, “Vitamin C is important in the absorption and metabolism of many nutrients that affect production of red blood cells”, including iron absorption (Smith, Primio, & Humphrey-Murto, 2011). DIRECT QUOTE WITHOUT AUTHOR. Similar to its importance to humans, vitamin C is vital for plant life as well. Plants require the alcohol for growth processes.

Nutrients also enhance our nervous system, helps improve our skin and muscle tone, as well as regulate our metabolism