Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Hunger Free Summer with ConAgra Foods

I worked with The Motherhood on this post, sponsored by ConAgra Foods. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While at the dinner table, telling my boys that some kids don’t have enough food to eat isn’t just some sort of guilt-tripping ploy to get them to eat their vegetables, it’s a very real fact.

When children are out of school for the summer, nearly 90 percent have limited or no access to the free or reduced price meals they receive at school during the school year. This means that children may be at even greater risk for hunger during the summer months. And kids can’t be kids when they’re hungry.

hungerfreesummer

My boys were quick to suggest the food pantry at my youngest’s school, since we’ve often donated to their food drives. My oldest also reminded me that our school district does actually provide lunch to any child who shows up at the designated schools during the lunch hour on weekdays. Those are good starts, but more should be done to help.

If you are looking for ways to help:

  • Volunteer: You can help transport food, help an existing feeding site with lunch preparation and clean-up or do activities with the kids. While providing meals is a top priority, fun activities are important in attracting children to feeding sites. Visit www.feedingamerica.org to find a nearby food bank in need of volunteers.
  • Advocate: To find meal sites in your area, call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479).
  • Learn: To learn more about the issue of child hunger, visit www.childhungerendshere.com and click on the “tacking action” tab.

This summer, 26 food banks in 18 states will use Hunger-Free Summer grants, funded by the ConAgra Foods Foundation – ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 – to expand their summer feeding program, bringing more healthy meals to more children during the summer.

ConAgra Foods’ Hunger-Free Summer initiative with Feeding America has a goal of reaching at least 25 percent more children in need during the summer than before, over the course of five years. The program has supported the delivery of 3.8 million meals to children struggling with hunger over the summer, increasing the number of children reached by 166 percent and expanding the number of Feeding America food banks operating summer feeding programs.

ConAgra Foods has partnered with Kid President to help spread the message. Simply view, like or share the video below to help raise awareness for child hunger this summer. For each of these actions, the ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America, up to two million meals.1

Kid President is awesome, so give the video a watch and help with #HungerFreeSummer!

1For every view, like or share of this Kid President video recorded on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Google+ from May 22, 2014 through July 31, 2014, the ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate 11.1¢, the cost for Feeding America to provide one meal through its network of local food banks. Minimum donation of 10,000 meals ($11,111). Maximum donation of two million meals ($222,000). Valid in U.S. only.

What are you doing to help join in the fight against child hunger?

Comments

  2. This is so great. I love that they are doing this. I was a school nurse in an impoverished area and it worried me what would happen to all the kids that were no longer getting breakfast and lunch at school. I am glad con Agra is working on making this a lesser issue. 

  3. I love what ConAgra does for kids and families.  It is nice to see large companies especially, doing this.

  4. It is great that ConAgra is taking steps to make a difference.  We give monthly to the local food pantry in our area and I also don’t items for them to resell at their thrift shop.  I am also a customer of their thrift shop.

  11. Great post. I donate a lot of food to local food pantries in the summer to keep kids well-fed.

  12. we watch those commercials together. I think it’s a good way to educate our kids on what’s going on outside our walls

  14. Our school district offers free lunches during the summer too. Only problem is, the kids’ gotta get there. What if they normally ride the bus?

    I care very much about hunger in this country so you bet I’ll share this all over the place!

  15. There was an episode of Secret Millionaire this last season where the town needed to provide funding for a summer lunch program for 1-2 days a week. The town and the people we so poor that families could not cover the cost of the child eating lunch at home. It was very sad. Glad to see there are people out there who realize just how real it is. 

  17. We try to help out the community whenever we can with food.  Donating food to the local food bank or your school’s food drive and volunteering at your Food Kitchen are great ways to volunteer and help the community.

  18. Working in the school system, I know all too well how many kids are probably not eating as much as they should be right now because it is the summer.  I think the important thing to do is be aware of your neighbors and those close to you.  It really could be the person next door.

  24. We do a lot of donating to local charities and food banks. Especially when I catch a good sale and can grab extras!

  25. This is a great reminder that we could be doing MORE during the summer! We are definitely making sure the pantries are stocked with food!

  27. I have so much respect for ConAgra for all the work they do to stop children from being hungry. I make it a point to buy their products when I have the choice.

  28. A lot of people only donate around holidays but it’s so important to donate mid-year (like in summer) when those school programs aren’t operating. I definitely encourage everyone to donate even $5 worth of canned goods or pasta and sauce, it’ll give someone a good meal!

  30. I do donate to the food pantry, but in the big picture, I’m sure I’m not doing nearly enough. I’m glad ConAgra is reminding us there’s work to be done.

  31. I’ve been volunteering at our food pantry garden twice each day this week. Its important to keep good food on the shelves for those that really need it. Props to Con Agra and feed America for doing this.

  32. This is such aa great program. I’ve been watching the video as often as memory allows to rack up those views! I hope they reach their goal to help as many food banks as possible. 

  33. Here is something really vital that we can all do and it takes no effort. Sometimes we just cannot do the grandiose deeds that others can. But we can all like or share on the computers we are using everyday. Thank you ConAgra for your effort in fighting childhood hunger. We can do this.

  36. Kid president is such a great inspiration for younger generations. I’m so glad that people, including him, are trying to make a difference.

  37. It’s always great when brands reach out for a great charitiable campaign. No child or person (but especially children) should be left hunger. Conagra thanks for stepping up and bringing awareness!

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