No Kid Hungry This Summer
Posted by Billy Shore on Tuesday, June 7, 2011
When we surveyed teachers several months ago about hunger in their classrooms, we weren’t surprised to learn that many were worried about their students during the summer months. As one teacher said, “So many of my students return after the summer, sickly and thin. They have not retained any of their skills from the previous year because their main focus is food.”
That same story bears out in the numbers. While more than 21 million U.S. kids rely on free or reduced-price school lunch every day, less than 3 million receive a free meal during the summer.
It’s true. And it’s a tragedy. That’s why, today, Share Our Strength is kicking off No Kid Hungry in Summer. We’re working with local partners across the country to connect kids with meals this summer. We’re also holding local events across the nation to draw attention to the problem.
At one of those events happening today, we will announce that Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell has signed on to No Kid Hungry, and together we’ll be working to end childhood hunger in his state. His support marks another big victory in our nationwide campaign, and will help us reach thousands more children in need in Virginia.
In just one minute, you can join us in building a bipartisan coalition dedicated to standing up for kids. By signing our quick petition, you can help us thank the elected officials across the country who are already on board with No Kid Hungry. You can also help encourage others who haven’t yet signed on to the campaign.
If we’re really going to make sure kids have nutritious food where they live, learn and play, we’re going to need to do it together. And that’s why it’s important to not only have you on board, but also to engage our national, state and local leaders as well. Please join us in thanking our partners and urging them to call on their peers to support the No Kid Hungry Campaign.
June 7, 2011 | 3 comment(s) | Tags: bob mcdonnell, jeff bridges, no kid hungry, summer meals, virginia
Comments
3 reader comments so far.
For the past five years I have worked at a summer camp/ afterschool program that serves kids nutritious foods provided by Allegheny County---Pittsburgh, PA. Even though our kids come from middle class suburbs--there are pockets of neighborhoods and public housing where kids are not getting enough nutritious foods available to them to get them through each day, each month. The county-supplied foods allow us to concentrate on the kids academics and character development--which is our main mission. Keep up the good works that you are doing here!
Kimberly A. O' Donnell, M. Ed. teacher, Melting Pot Ministriesromystconfra-
Posted by Kimberly A. O' Donnell on June 7, 2011
Sorry I made a typo--the organization i work for is Melting Pot MInistries
Posted by Kim O'donnell on June 7, 2011
I started a program in 2009 to feed hungry school children on the weekends. Manyof these children get most of their meals at school and have little or nothing to eat on the weekends. How do I feed these children during the summer? The issue in my area is transportation. I live in a rural area in the mountains of North Georgia and once these children are out of school they have no transportation, some can't even get to our local food pantry...no vehicle or no money for gasoline. Any ideas?
Gaye Whalton, Snack in a Backpack program director Fannin County, GA
Posted by Gaye Whalton on June 8, 2011
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