In the beginning of July I posted about the hunger-free summer initiative by ConAgra foods to benefit Feeding America. By simply watching this video featuring Hunger-Free supporter, actor Chris O’Donnell, until the end, ConAgra will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America. To date, the video has more than 103,000 views which equals 103,000 meals! Watch below to help donate a meal to a child in need and raise that number!
Why is the summer time important? 21.5 million kids rely on free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but when school is out for the summer it means they may be at risk of hunger. Only 2.3 million children participate in the Summer Food Service Program.
Sometimes we don’t know issues exist in our own backyard. You can “map the meal gap,” and find out specific information about your local city like the percentage of child food insecurity and how many kids are eligible for food nutrition programs. I mapped my state, Iowa, and was surprised by the findings. Overall, Iowa has 395,620 food-insecure people. What does food insecurity mean?
Food insecurity refers to the USDA’s measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
Map your city. You may be surprised by the data.
Visit Childhungerendshere.com for more information on child hunger and what you can do to help. What’s great about this campaign is that it is so easy and everyone can do it. Just watch the video above!! By donating five minutes of your time, you are in turn donating 1 meal to a child. You can make a difference!