This post is brought to you by ConAgra Foods and The Motherhood, and I’ve been compensated for my time. However, all opinions are my own.
More than 1 in 5 children right here in the US are at risk of hunger, and there’s about 20 million kids who could qualify for summer meal programs yet don’t because access and/or awareness is limited. When I saw that statistic, it really hit home: what if it was my child that was the 1? In fact, 1 in 5 means that there are possibly 5 or 6 kids in your child’s class that are at risk of not knowing where their next meal may come from. Again, I’m talking about in the United States. Pretty staggering, right?
find a clickable version of this map here
There was a great response to my first Hunger Free Summer post and your emails really touched my heart. I appreciate that many of you have shared this video, because it’s so very easy to donate a meal to a hungry child just by watching or sharing it!
As usual, I wondered what I could do at the local level to help feed our hungry children– especially after I saw the numbers:
Thought #1: Contact local schools and let them know about Feeding America or other programs targeting childhood hunger. The school where I formerly was a teacher promoted a summer feeding program on their Facebook page, which was a great start!
Thought #2: Donate food. I know, such a simple idea. But with a tight economy, food banks are going broke. Each time I go shopping, I try to stock up on sale items (a thrifty way to help) and then set them aside to donate. I also try really hard to buy healthy non-perishable food when possible. We collect them in bags, and when our stockpile gets big we drop them off at a local food bank. Here’s a handy food bank finder if you’re looking for a donation drop-off spot.
Thought #3: Talk to your kids at their level about childhood hunger. Let them know other kids may not enjoy a hot meal every day, and discuss ways to help out. Encouraging empathy and compassion is possibly the #1 skill you can impart to your kids on the road to a well-lived life. Who knows, they may be in a situation at school to identify a friend that is at risk of hunger, or they may be the person who solves the world hunger problem!
Thought #4: Support the Hunger Free Summer campaign by viewing this video. Go the extra mile and organize a viewing and canned food collection party.
I realize this topic isn’t about DIY projects or crafts, but I’m thankful to be in a position to spread awareness for a topic near and dear to my heart. Blogging is a privilege for me (along with knowing where my next meal will come from) and I try to use my voice for good when possible. I’d love to hear your insights about childhood hunger and how your family helps, and also know if you watched the video. Together, we can ensure our nation’s kids have a #HungerFreeSummer!
How can you help fight childhood hunger this summer? Did you watch the video starring Chris O’Donnell, and what were your thoughts?
There is just no reason for children in our country to be going hungry. It’s appalling and makes me so sod. Thank you for this post and for helping to stop childhood hunger in this country!
so many food bands NEED FOOD – it’s such an EASY thing to do, just takes a little thought and planning. thanks for bringing attention to this much under-discussed issue in our society. with all the obesity talk, we sometimes forget that there are kids starving too. very sad.
This makes me so sad…it is such an important topic. Making sure that kids don’t go hungry is so incredibly important and we can all take a role in it.
I have seen what happens to children who are hungry and it is a sad thing. It is good for you to bring attention this issue so people can help.