It's Monday morning and 1 out of 5 Darien, Illinois elementary school students are hungry. They are groggy. Not fully engaged. They are falling behind. Darien District 61 Superintendent Dr. Robert Carlo says, “some of these students end up in the nurse's office complaining of headaches or upset stomachs which the nurse knows is easily cured with a healthy meal."

Over the weekend, their families were not able to provide sustained nutrition. Back in school, they will receive free or reduced price meals from the school district. It can be Wednesday before they regain their full potential to learn. Caring teachers will spend class time helping them keep up, making this an issue that can affect all students in the class.