While lack of steady, well-paying jobs is a major factor contributing to poverty across many European countries, political upheaval has also played a huge role. Some countries are still recovering from a past Communist regime, as well as war leaving many children displaced from their homes. From refugee children fleeing Ukraine, to street kids in Albania, to children growing up in the sewers of Romania, many children are left alone and without a family, trying to provide food for themselves.
Even though the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, there are many children and families who are facing food insecurity, and it is not always easy to see. They may live in a home but cannot afford electricity or regular meals. For many children, summers are especially difficult. During the school year, schools across the country offer free and reduced-price meals. Unfortunately, those meals end when summer starts. Children facing poverty in the US may not know when they will have their next meal or if they will go to bed hungry.