By Shaela Avery
One of the most common—and sometimes most stressful—questions parents hear is: “What’s for dinner?” As a mom of six young children, I get this question a lot. Coming up with a meal that is quick, nutritious, uses what we have on hand, and that everyone will actually eat feels like a daily juggling act.
And yet, even on the hardest days, I’m grateful. Grateful that I have options, and grateful I can provide balanced meals, even if they are not gourmet. Because for many parents around the world, “What’s for dinner?” is a heartbreaking question—they simply don’t have an answer.
Food Insecurity
In 2023, about one in eleven people globally—and one in five people in Africa—faced hunger. More than 2.3 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, meaning they often skipped meals or went entire days without food. Even more troubling, in 2022 over 2.8 billion people couldn’t afford a healthy diet. In low-income countries, over 70% of the population falls into this category, compared to just 6% in high-income countries.¹
But food insecurity isn’t just about having enough to eat—it’s also about what we eat. Undernutrition can happen even when food is available. My 5-year-old would happily live on chicken nuggets alone, but while that might keep him full, it wouldn’t give his body what it needs to grow and thrive. A diet lacking variety—like one based mostly on white rice, a staple in many low-income homes—can lead to “hidden hunger,” or micronutrient deficiencies. This can cause stunting, wasting, fatigue, and a weakened immune system, especially in children.
How Children are Affected
Globally, the impact of undernutrition on children is devastating. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, about 149 million children under five were stunted (too short for their age), and 45 million were wasted (too thin for their height).² Nearly half of all deaths in children under five are linked to undernutrition. It affects not just their bodies, but also their ability to learn, grow, and escape the cycle of poverty.³
So the next time you hear, “What’s for dinner?”—pause and remember that for many families, it’s not just a question of preference or convenience, but one of survival. Let’s approach it with gratitude and awareness. And let’s do what we can—whether by donating to Bountiful Children or simply spreading awareness—to help ensure every child receives the nutrition they need to thrive.
Kurt Matthia, Board Chair
Kurt Matthia retired in 1996 after serving 27 years in the Utah Department of Health holding various positions including Director of the Bureau of Health Facility Management and Certification, Director of Medicaid Operations, and Assistant Director of the Division of Health Care Financing. Since 1996, he has worked privately as a management consultant and in developing websites and web-based applications. His educational background includes a BA in political science from Brigham Young University (1968) and an MS in human resource management from the University of Utah (1978). From 2000 to 2002, Kurt and his wife Sheela served a proselyting mission in the Germany Frankfurt Mission. From 2004 to 2021, they served as missionaries at the FamilySearch Library at Temple Square. Kurt has served Bountiful as a volunteer since mid-2021. In December 2021, Kurt proposed that he create a replacement website for BountifulChildren.org and was given the go-ahead. Everything went to Shaela and Angela and on to board members for review. Development lasted eight months, and in August of 2022, the new website took the place of the old. Kurt began serving as a board member in October 2023.
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