American Federation of Teachers Supports No Kid Hungry
Posted by Lauren Samet on Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Teachers and other school employees know all too well what it’s like to have a hungry child in their school or classroom. They know, often firsthand, how a student’s hunger can negatively affect his or her behavior and ability to perform in school.
Thanks to Share Our Strength’s attendance and video booth at our annual conference, members of the American Federation of Teachers — including teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries and school staff — had an opportunity to share their stories about childhood hunger and its effects in schools at our biennial convention in Seattle, July 7-11. In true AFT fashion, members don’t just talk the talk—they walk the walk. Many of the school employees spoke about how they personally had tried to fight childhood hunger in schools. They told emotional stories about teachers and support staff buying breakfast bars to give to students, or giving students money for lunch. As generous as these individuals are, one individual’s efforts cannot feed a school, nor should it.
It is going to take us all working together to ensure no child goes hungry.
AFT members recognize that there are many ways to walk the walk. There are numerous ways we can work together to end childhood hunger. At the AFT’s convention, AFT members signed pledges to join Share Our Strength’s “No Kid Hungry by 2015” campaign. They also signed petitions supporting universal breakfast in schools and passed a resolution on the convention floor supporting nutritious food in schools. AFT members recognize that large-scale change can occur only through working together and finding a national solution. The AFT is ready to stand tall, stand strong and stand together with Share Our Strength to combat childhood hunger.
When organizations, communities and families work together, anything can happen. We hope that you’ll join us in taking the No Kid Hungry pledge.
August 18, 2010 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: no kid hungry, school breakfast, teachers
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