Thousands of Vermont children live in households that don't have enough to eat. That has to change, especially when we have the means to ease the pain.

Childhood hunger can cause immediate and long-lasting harm. Hungry children don't do well in school. Childhood hunger and poor nutrition can lead to developmental and health problems that can last a lifetime.

The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger this month launched its second targeted effort, the Hunger Council of Chittenden County, a group of volunteers from the community who will work to raise awareness of childhood hunger and the programs that focus on the problem. A similar effort was launched in Washington County earlier this year.

The hunger council is a pragmatic approach that starts with getting the available help to those who need it. Here are Vermont's hunger numbers:

One in 11 Vermont households -- 9 percent -- don't have enough to eat.

19,000 children -- 14 percent -- live in households without enough food or enough money for nutritious meals.

Food shelves feed 11,400 children each month.

More than 50 percent of households that rely on food shelves are families with children.

The campaign gleaned these numbers, three-year averages for 2002-2004, from data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. Hunger in Vermont might mean running out of food at the end of the month, or adults' going without to feed their children, or opting for filling but less nutritious food in order to put something on the table.

Campaign Executive Director Robert Dostis says a network of community safety nets can make a dent in the hunger numbers, but a lack of information and coordination is keeping the programs from reaching as many people as they could.

Of Vermont's 319 public schools, 29 have no breakfast program, and 15, no lunch or breakfast program. In 2006, nearly 40,000 Vermonters and as many as 30 percent of children eligible for food stamps failed to receive benefits. Vermont's participation rate in a federal program that helps provide nutritious snacks and meals at child-care centers puts the state 49th in the nation.

Information is the first step. The campaign is working to make sure more Vermonters who need help take advantage of available food and nutrition programs. While the average Vermonter might not be able to start a school breakfast program, here are some ways to become involved in fighting hunger:

Learn more about hunger in Vermont and nutrition assistance programs.

One in five Chittenden County students count on a free or reduced-price school meal every day. Find out how you can help at your local school.

Find out about the nutrition assistance programs in the community.

Volunteer at a local food shelf, senior meal program or community dinner.

A single hungry child is reason enough to take action. If getting the word out about available help can help reduce the hunger rolls by hundreds, or even thousands, that's even more reason to act.

MORE INFORMATION To learn more about the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger or about hunger in Vermont, go to www.vtnohunger.org. Receive information on hunger projects in Vermont and around the nation, current research, and opportunities to take action in the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger's monthly electronic hunger and nutrition update. Sign up by e-mailing Lillie Bleau at Lbleau@vtnohunger.org.