Fighting Hunger Right Where You Live
It’s been such a privilege to have a part in the “Child Hunger Ends Here” campaign with ConAgra and Feeding America. It’s encouraging to know that even my small role in this combined rally can change the hunger statics right where I live. That’s the thing I love about this effort – even a small contribution can make an impact! Did you know that $1 provides 7 Meals to your local community when you donate online?
Yep, you read that correctly. SEVEN.
Think about how even a $1 per neighbor/church member/classmate/PTA member donation could significantly impact your community. Now think even bigger.. For instance if each person in my own town of around 20,000 made a $1 donation we could provide 140,000 meals!
There’s no better time than the present. With summer quickly approaching more kids in your very own community will struggle with hunger. The 19.5 million children receiving the free or reduced-price lunches significantly will drop to only 2.2 million receiving meals through the Summer Food Service Program. Remember, every dollar raised and donated online stays in your community to help those children in need.
(Keep reading how YOU can make an IMPACT today just by simply leaving a COMMENT.)
There have been many inspiring bloggers demonstrating examples of how you can get involved. Hopefully their initiatives, ideas, creativity, and energy will inspire you to make a difference in your own community as well:
~ Judy from Dirt Road Musings held a “Taste of Italy” Pasta Dinner in her home town of Omaha, Nebraska,and a portion of the proceeds were donated to Feeding America.
~ Courtney from Detroit Mommies teamed up with a local restaurant that donated 5% of the invite’s tab from the food and drinks to the cause.
~ Laura from My DFW Mommy opened her own home and collected canned goods and donations from her neighbors.
~ Andrea from Savvy Sassy Moms hosted a neighborhood ice cream social in Los Angeles, California.
See? It doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated to make a difference. You can find more ideas, resources and sign up for a FREE toolkit at the Child Hunger Ends Here site.
Now that you’re creative juices are bubbling and overflowing with ideas I want to hear them!
And here’s the impact you can make with a simple comment:
For every comment, a donation of $1 will be made on behalf of our blog to Child Hunger Ends Here, up to $100. That means that 100 comments on this post could provide 700 MEALS for my local community!
I’m not too proud to beg…
Will you leave me a comment telling me your ideas for how you could make an impact in your own community?
It’s that simple.
Pretty Please.
With Sugar On Top?
AND a Cherry?
My creative juices aren't really working tonight:( But, I think this is a wonderful campaign! I know that our community center is having a yard sale to raise money for our local food pantry. So, cleaning out the closets helps my neighbors and gets some of the "stuff" out of here.
Allow me to be the first to comment! I was thinking the ice cream social is a simple way to raise funds! And w/ a warm sunny day, people in the community will see double incentives to support our work!
GREAT project!
What a wonderful cause! Thanks for sharing.
We collect canned foods and other non-perishable items at Church to donate to local organizations that help feed the hungry.
Wow…it amazes me how much you are able to accomplish beyond raising 4 boys 🙂 So many people (especially in the area where I live near DC) have no idea that hunger is even an issue in this country. The fact is that the problem has increased over the past couple of years as hard-working folks have lost their jobs. On the flipside, food pantries and soup kitchens have seen a decrease in donations due to the economy. This is a very real problem that could literally be right next door. Thanks for your hard work!
Blessings,
Amy
I could let the kids have an old fashioned lemonade stand! It is HOT in Texas already!
I second the lemonade stand. We're hitting 100 degrees today in Arizona and everyone could use some refreshment. Or even just handing out water bottles to the homeless would be a great way to help.
Everyone loves a good garage sale. How about cleaning out the clutter and donating the proceeds. 🙂
It was nice to meet you last night at the concert!
it's small, but smile at people, open a door, pick up something they've dropped. just be nice
I think just asking a group or community to all donate a dollar is the way to go, actually. Many will think nothing of it, and donate. Others will donate more JUST because you only asked for a little. So churches, girl/boy scouts, summer camps, etc. all have a platform to ask and receive 🙂
I love things where even a dollar helps–7 meals=wow!
My son has been begging to do a lemonade stand, that could be an idea.
This is a great cause!! Lemonade stands, cookie sales, anything like that!!
Can you tell us more about the seven meals for a dollar? What kind of meals are these? Where are they provided, i.e. at a food bank, a school or somewhere else? I looked on the ConAgra site and could not find further info.
Thanks,
KarenM in NC
We used to live in a very poor town, and we supported the local shelter. Last summer we moved to Silicon Valley – the prosperity in this area is breathtaking. I don't even know where to look to help people here. But your post reminded me that just because I can't see the problem anymore doesn't mean it's gone. I'll hunt around, and give myself 7 days to either find something local or start sending donations back to the shelter in our old town. Thanks for the kick-start!
-Holly
I think it's so sad that so many people (including kids) go hungry. It's something i have thought about a lot lately and has been close to my heart. I love food. And I think about how small it is in my everyday life. It's something I take complete advantage of. I can't imagine going to bed hungry and wondering IF I will have food tommorow. America wastes so much good food we could use. I'm glad people and organizations are working to stop this.
great idea jen! Love that your boys are being taught to love and think of others by your example
Our church collects items to fill backpacks once a week for hungry kids. They take the backpack home on the weekend and bring it back to be filled again the next week. We just worry about summer break and how these kids will keep from being hungry. We are working on a plan but have not worked out all the details. Pray things come together by the end of next school year.
Our Sunday School class aims to bring 50 cans each month of beans or tuna for the local food pantry.
GREAT IDEA! Here's my comment/$1.
I love that you make a difference by blogging. We love supporting food pantries and it's a great lesson for my daughter to know we always pick up extra at the grocery. She's old enough now that SHE reminds ME when I forget. 🙂
we support a local CSA – bringing work to our community.
This time of year, it seems I'm getting asked to pitch in $5 or $10 or $15 every other day for some "end of the year" gift… imagine if all of us in the preschool class ear-marked 5 of those 10 dollars to go to this cause? We could proudly tell the teacher that 560 meals were being provided… and STILL give a nice gift!
I'm not that creative, but I was thinking maybe teachers would forgo end of the yr gifts to help the cause and moms could all chip in towards it. I don't know.
Great cause! Great ideas! Maybe we can have everyone bring a dollar to our neighborhood picnic this summer.
I am part of a coupon club and a lot of us shoppers have learned how to maximize our savings with sales and coupons. There are often items I can get for less than $0.50 or even free that I don't need. I often get those items anyways and then donate them to my church's food pantry.
Last year, the lady that organizes our coupon board took names of families that were in need and each week, those of us in the group could donate our excess items to that family to help out.
Great job Murray family!
Great ideas everyone! I can't believe just $1 can buy 7 meals! One measley dollar that we think really nothing about. Can't wait to get one board.
Some kids in our neighborhood put on a dog show–they had their lab doing tricks like jumping through a hula hoop. They charged 50 cents for kids and $1 for adults. Super cute!
I'm leaving my comment for another $1 to be donated. I can't believe there aren't 100 comments yet! This is such an easy way to make a difference. Thanks for doing it!
Melody
Jen,
You rock!
Amanda S