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• No Kid Hungry

  Join the national movement of people committed to ending childhood hunger in America.

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• Cooking Matters

  Empowers families with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to prepare healthy and affordable meals.

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• Great American Dine Out

  Join us September 16-22, 2012 for the fifth annual Dine Out For No Kid Hungry!

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• Great American Bake Sale

  A national campaign that mobilizes Americans to end childhood hunger by holding bake sales in their communities.

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• Taste of the Nation

  Fine dining and tasting events that help make sure no kid in America grows up hungry.

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Understanding Childhood Hunger

Need Food Assistance Help?

If you're struggling with hunger, looking for a safe place for your kids to get a nutritious meal, or need a little help to get back on your feet, there are programs and organizations like Share Our Strength and our partners that are prepared to help. Government programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) exist to help you when you're budget is tight to make sure that you and your children have adequate nutritious food to eat at all times. In addition to programs run by the government, many private and community-based organizations in your neighborhood including food banks and pantries, soup kitchens, and meals on wheels programs can provide temporary assistance to help keep your shelves stocked each month. To find out how to get help near you, call the National Hunger Hotline or see the directory below.

Where do I go to get assistance?

To get assistance finding help near you, call the National Hunger Hotline:

Necesita ayuda? En la versión en lengua española el hambre hotline al 1-877 -842-6273.

Find a Food Bank Near You

Feeding America has a searchable listing of food banks (food pantries) on their website that can get you connected with food assistance in your area.

Do I Qualify for Food Assistance?

Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals (breakfast and lunch) if your family income meets the following criteria:

• At or below 130 percent of the official poverty level (currently $28,665) are eligible for free meals.
• Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent (currently $40,793) of the poverty level are eligible for reduced‐price meals, for which students pay no more than 40 cents. (Source: USDA/FNS.)

Contact your local school and ask for an application to get your child enrolled in the school breakfast and school lunch programs. Children in households that participate in SNAP are automatically eligible to receive free school meals and you should not have to fill out an application. All children can participate in the free summer meals program. Contact your state agency to find out more about these programs.

The requirements for your family to qualify for benefits like SNAP, WIC, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) vary from state to state. You can find out the specific eligibility requirements in your state of residence by visiting the following resources at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Division webpage:

• SNAP
• WIC
• TEFAP

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