Behind the Scenes: Summer Meals Outreach

Behind the Scenes: Summer Meals Outreach

By Alex Cummings

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the humidity is increasing seemingly more and more every day. Summer is coming—we can feel it! As my mind wanders to summer afternoons lounging in the sun, I remember that for many children in the United States, summer can be a stressful time. Without the school breakfast and lunch programs they rely on throughout the school year, children can’t always count on getting the nutritious food they need during the summer. What they may not know is that Share Our Strength can help! Continue reading »

May 22, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: flyers, summer meals, summer meals sites

Leading the Way

Leading the Way

By Aleta Greer

Students of all ages are getting involved with No Kid Hungry by planning fundraising and awareness events at their schools. The first step to getting your school involved is by visiting nokidhungry2.org. NoKidHungry2 is an interactive website for youth aged 5-25 who are interested in getting more involved. The site is filled with fun learning activities, fundraising ideas and more. There is even a section for teachers and parents! Use it to teach your kids about the issue of childhood hunger and the importance of helping others Continue reading »

May 22, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: coins for kids, fundraising, no kid hungry 2, youth

Chef Spotlight - Matt Hill

By Emily Byram

We want to introduce our community to more of these chefs, so we’re starting an ongoing interview series that features these chef advocates. The next in our series is Matt Hill of Washington, DC. Chef Hill has been a long-time advocate for our work, participating in countless fundraising events including the upcoming No Kid Hungry Washington, DC Dinner on June 3rd. Continue reading »

May 18, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: charlie palmer, chefs, interview, taste of the nation

A warm welcome to No Kid Hungry Michigan!

By Michael McKenna

Last week, Michigan joined the No Kid Hungry Campaign during an exciting kick off at a Detroit elementary school. Gompers Elementary School in Detroit is a beacon in a neighborhood that’s seen better days. It’s impressive from the outside (including a great school garden), but then you are moved by how new, clean, and colorful the space is once you enter. It’s the kind of place you’d want to be every day. The space represented the theme of our visit – hope amid challenges – and its programs represented the reason why No Kid Hungry is bound for success in Michigan. Continue reading »

May 17, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: detroit, michigan, no kid hungry, state campaign

SNAP Stories: "My Mother is Everything But a Sponge"

By Katherine Van Steenburgh

Members of Congress are working to reauthorize the Farm Bill, legislation that provides funding for the SNAP program (formerly known as food stamps). Drastic cuts to SNAP are being proposed that would affect millions of children and families, leaving them even more vulnerable to hunger. Share Our Strength asked our network to share their personal stories about SNAP and federal nutrition programs. These responses demonstrate the critical importance of these programs and debunk many misconceptions. This post is part of a series sharing those stories. Continue reading »

May 16, 2012 | 1 comment(s) | Tags: federal food and nutrition programs, mothers, snap, snap stories

The Weight of the Nation: Connecting Hunger and Childhood Obesity

By Kumar Chandran

How did Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter open his remarks at the Weight of the Nation, a recent national conference on obesity prevention? By telling the audience about unacceptably high rates of hunger and food insecurity in his city. He described how too many low-income families in Philadelphia struggle to put a healthy meal on the table. He explained how too many families live in communities with poor access to affordable healthy foods. But, he also went on to describe the innovative strategies being taken in Philadelphia to address both hunger and obesity, such as: Continue reading »

May 15, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: child nutrition, childhood obesity, healthy, weight of the nation

Dear Difference Makers

By Sylvia Vidal

As a part of the grassroots fundraising and youth outreach team here at Share Our Strength, I constantly work with individuals who are sharing their strengths by raising funds for us. These passionate volunteers are throwing bake sales, school fundraisers and events to provide much needed support to the No Kid Hungry campaign. We couldn’t accomplish all that we’re doing without them. Continue reading »

May 15, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: bake sale, fundraisers

Letters From Food Stamp Families: The Truth About Federal Nutrition Programs

By Katherine Van Steenburgh

Share Our Strength has invited our supporters to stand up against cuts in the SNAP (food stamp) program that protect families during difficult times. We also asked those who had been on food assistance to share their own personal stories with us. We have received more than 80 responses and over the next few weeks, we will be sharing those stories with you here. These responses prove the critical importance of these programs and debunk many misconceptions. Continue reading »

May 14, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: food stamps, snap

What’s your favorite fruit?

By Laura Seman

Sweet, tart, juicy, crispy, soft – there’s a fruit to fit every craving. We asked some Cooking Matters volunteers, participants and Share Our Strength staff what their favorite fruit is, and the results were delicious. Continue reading »

May 14, 2012 | 2 comment(s) | Tags: cooking matters, favorite fruit, fruit, healthy eating

Moms Fighting for No Kid Hungry

By Katherine Van Steenburgh

This week we have been celebrating Mother’s Day and applauding No Kid Hungry moms. We’ve shared stories from mother’s who have both supported and benefitted from the No Kid Hungry campaign. Continue reading »

May 11, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: moms, mothers day

Don't forget: Mother's Day is this Sunday!

By Katherine Van Steenburgh

We also don’t want you to forget about the mom’s all around us who are fighting for No Kid Hungry. There are two mothers, Marissa and Michelle, that I want to tell you about in honor of Mother’s Day. Continue reading »

May 10, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: healthy food, meals, mothers day, school meals