Being a single parent is difficult. I have been privileged to have held a job where I have always been paid a livable wage. Sadly, many of my peers are not in the same position, and they and their families are suffering. Offering Maine families a livable wage is imperative to Maine’s future.

The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of enough food for a healthy life and a limited availability of nutritional foods. Food-insecure homes often need to make choices between adequate foods and paying for medical needs or housing. One in four Maine children lives in food insecurity. Maine ranks No. 1 in New England and ninth in the nation for food insecurity. Currently in Androscoggin County, 64 percent of food-insecure children meet qualifications for federal nutrition programs such as free school lunches.

Additionally, Maine’s child poverty rate is 19 percent. In just one year, the state of Maine dropped from 12th place in childhood well-being to 17th, largely due to the increased number of children living in poverty.

A higher minimum wage would give impoverished and food-insecure children and their families a better way of life. Children need the opportunity to prosper in their educational environments. Studies show that poor nutrition in early childhood can lead to developmental and health issues. It all begins with a full stomach before, during and after school.

The future of Maine lies in its children. The public needs to invest in them by voting to raise the minimum wage.

Erica Dube, Yarmouth

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