I participated in this program on behalf of Champions for Kids and The Motherhood. As always, all opinions are my own.

SUMMER HUNGER

“I’m hungry!”

It’s summer, and school has been out for a week. Our schedule is lax, and mealtimes schedules are as forgotten as bedtime routines. Couple that with my kids’ habit of eating when they are bored, and “I’m hungry!” could be the catchphrase of our summer.

I know how lucky I am to be able to feed my children when their bellies rumble. For some families, summer hunger is not an inconvenience, it is a frightening reality. According to the US Department of Agriculture, in 2012, “8.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in which children, along with adults, were food insecure.”

This is even more pronounced in summer months, when children, who usually have access to free or reduced breakfast and lunch at school, are home. Many families are simply unable to afford the meals usually provided at school.

SUMMER OF GIVING

Champions for Kids is teaming up with Walmart, Tyson, Birds Eye, and State Fair to tackle summer hunger in their Summer of Giving program, and are looking for you and your communities to help. The goal, to provide 5 million meals this summer, is simple, but lofty, and I am honored to participate.

To promote the program, Walmart sent me a $100 gift card to spend on frozen food to donate to a local organization. My family has donated to various organizations in the past, and have donated canned goods many times. Never, though, have we filled up a shopping cart of frozen food, transferred it to a cooler so it wouldn’t defrost, and take it directly to a food bank.

Since we were selecting food with kids in mind, my children played a large part in the shopping. We had fun with the food selection, but we also discussed the importance of helping those who are struggling.

“Do you think the kids like corn?” they asked, as they tossed bags of frozen vegetables in the cart.

“Chicken nuggets! We have to get these,” my five-year-old declared as her older brother nodded in agreement.

I needed to find an organization that accepted frozen food, and the Connecticut Food Bank was happy to take the almost 50 lbs of food off our hands.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Children have charitable hearts, and it is up to us as parents to nurture that. Donating time and resources is a wonderful way to show kids how fulfilling it is to give.

It’s like Champions for Kids understands the importance of making giving fun, and have created the Summer of Giving program around that idea. By hosting a giving party, you can win $25,000 for your school, and do something fun and important in the process.

Here’s how you can host your own SIMPLE Service project and be entered to win that big money prize for your school:

• GATHER your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.

• LEARN about the needs of children in your community.

• GIVE items to help children live happier and healthier lives.

• SHARE your story with Champions for Kids to inspire others!

Also, until July 9th, visit the frozen food aisle in your local Walmart Super Center to learn more about how to help provide 5 million meals this summer. Look for the Champions for Kids logo!

 

Official rules for the Summer of Giving program can be found here.

Will you help Champions for Kids reach their 5 million meal goal this summer? Follow the hashtag #summerofgiving to see what others are doing for their SIMPLE service projects, and check out some of the action on the Champions for Kids Facebook page!

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