Help Kids with Hunger in Just 30 Seconds

This is a special post. I hope you read it all the way through and then share it with your friends. This past weekend, I had a friend ask me to share a post about hunger as part of a blogger effort that is happening today:

KateUpdates Food Bloggers Against HungerThe Problem:

Food Bloggers Against Hunger was created by The Giving Table, in response to a new documentary, A Place at the Table. Today, April 8, 2013 there are hundreds of bloggers sharing recipes, resources and spreading the word about preventing hunger. (You can view the movie trailer here:)

 

Did you know …

  • 1 out of 5 kids in the U.S. struggle with hunger. That’s 16 million kids!! That’s crazy.
  • 62% of America’s teachers are seeing kids come to school hungry because they haven’t been fed enough at home
  • 46.2 million Americans—15.1 percent—live in poverty (2010). This is the largest number of
    people living in poverty since estimates were first published (1956) and the highest poverty rate
    since 1994.
  • 40.3 million Americans used SNAP (formerly food stamps) on average per month during 2010
  • Half of those are kids.
  • The average monthly SNAP benefit in 2010 was $282.31 per household, or $1.48 per meal.
Millions of Americans who participate in the nation’s food stamp program are limited to an average of
$3 or $4 per person each day to supplement their food budget. Additionally, the government subsidizes
products like soy beans, wheat, and corn instead of fresh produce, so the most affordable food is often the unhealthiest.

I found this video, created by a blogger, about finding healthy meal options to feed your family for just $4. I wanted to share it with you because I think she shares some great advice and it was really creative/awesome of her to do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky0QsVlPqcA

What Can You Do?
This is happening in our own backyard. Maybe your family is struggling with hunger. Statistically speaking, that’s a real possibility. This problem is huge. It seems overwhelming. What can we do to help this problem?
The only way for hunger to be eliminated in America is if policies change. There are several ways you can help right now, in a matter of minutes:
  • Petition for Change. In just 30-seconds, you can submit a letter to Congress petitioning for change in support of anti-hunger legislation. The more letters we submit, the better!
  • Look in your own backyard. There are many opportunities to help fight hunger in your own backyard. Simply enter your zip code and find a way to help in your area.
  • Spread the word. Share a post on your blog today or share my post on your Facebook wall. You can also visit The Giving Table’s Facebook and Twitter pages to learn more and get involved online.

If you’d like to learn more, visit the “A Place at the Table” website.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and considering how you can make a difference in helping kids from going hungry.

~ Kate