Freedom From Hunger: What Independence Really Means 

Every July, Americans celebrate Independence Day with parades, fireworks and barbecues. It’s a time to honor the values this country was built on: freedom, self-determination and the right to pursue a better future. But as we reflect on these ideals, it’s worth asking: Who has access to that freedom, and what does it actually look like in people’s everyday lives?

For millions of individuals and families across the United States, true independence remains out of reach, not because of a lack of effort, but because of structural barriers that keep basic needs unmet. Hunger is one of the most persistent and devastating of those barriers. It doesn’t just affect nutrition. It shapes health outcomes, limits educational opportunity and chips away at human dignity.

If we believe in freedom for all, we must also believe in freedom from hunger.

Hunger Is Not Just About Food

Food insecurity is often misunderstood as a temporary or individual issue. In reality, it is a symptom of larger systemic problems: poverty, underemployment, inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare and the rising cost of living. Families may be working full-time, doing everything “right,” and still find themselves unsure where their next meal will come from.

Children are particularly vulnerable. When kids go hungry, it impacts their concentration, energy levels and long-term development. They’re more likely to fall behind in school and less likely to feel safe, confident or supported. These are not just health or education issues; they are issues of justice.

Freedom cannot exist where hunger is present. A child who is hungry cannot be expected to learn. A parent who is choosing between groceries and rent is not truly free. Independence is not only about political rights or personal liberties, —it’s also about living without the constant fear of going without.

Summer Hunger Hits Harder

The irony of celebrating freedom in July is that summer is one of the most difficult times of year for families experiencing food insecurity. During the school year, millions of children rely on free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches. In the summer months, those meals often disappear.

Families already balancing tight budgets are forced to stretch their resources even further. Community food banks and nonprofits see an increase in demand, especially in neighborhoods that are already underserved. The result is a spike in hunger that coincides with a season meant to be about rest, joy and celebration.

Independence loses its meaning when basic survival becomes a daily struggle.

What Real Freedom Looks Like

To build a more just and equitable society, we must redefine what we mean by freedom. It cannot only apply to those with access to wealth, stability and opportunity. It must extend to everyone, including those who are navigating hardships through no fault of their own.

Real freedom means being able to feed your children without skipping meals yourself. It means not having to rely on emergency food assistance as a long-term solution. It means creating systems that prioritize care, equity and shared responsibility.

Ending hunger requires more than food drives. It requires addressing the root causes: low wages, lack of affordable housing, unequal access to healthcare and the continued underfunding of community resources. It also requires listening to the voices of those who are experiencing food insecurity firsthand and including them in the conversation around solutions.

How the Elias & Sultana Foundation Is Responding

At the Elias & Sultana Foundation, we believe that no one should have to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table. Our grantmaking supports organizations working at the front lines of food justice, not only distributing meals, but also building long-term infrastructure for community resilience.

We support organizations like Community Compassion USA, which provides thousands of hot meals each year to individuals experiencing homelessness and economic instability. Their work includes food distribution during Ramadan and beyond, reaching communities at moments of both celebration and need.

These efforts reflect a broader truth: solving hunger is not about temporary fixes. It’s about systemic change and compassionate action.

A New Kind of Patriotism

As we celebrate this country’s independence, we have a chance to redefine patriotism. Not as a performance, but as a practice. Caring for our neighbors, investing in equity and ensuring that every person can live with dignity. These are acts of love and civic responsibility.

We cannot fully honor the ideals of liberty and justice while allowing hunger to persist in our communities. Ensuring access to food is not a matter of charity. It is a matter of fairness, of vision and of values.

This July, let’s commit to a version of freedom that includes everyone. One where no child goes to bed hungry, no elder is forced to ration meals and no parent has to carry the silent weight of not having enough. Learn how the Elias & Sultana Foundation is working to make food access a reality for all, and help us spread the word.