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How I met Share our Strength 

For years I worked as a territory manager for a national retailer. I enjoyed the work because I built relationships with great people within my local area, and loved my interactions with customers, but I wanted more. I wanted to do something that would give to those in need.

Food everywhere at Taste of the Nation

I was so excited when the company partnered with a children’s charity, Share Our Strength. We would partner with our customers to donate to Share Our Strength’s NoKidHungry.Org program. Every dollar that our customers donated would be used by NoKidHungry.Org to give up to 10 meals to kids in need! You could easily say I was ecstatic!

I, of course, learned as much as I could about the NoKidHungry.Org program. I was completely overwhelmed when I learned that 1 in 4 children in the United States was facing food insecurity. We are far too wealthy a nation to have 1 in 4 kids not knowing where their next meal will come from. Flash forward 10 years, and now only 1 in 6 children face food insecurity. It is still far too many, but we as a country are headed in the right direction.

Why it matters to me?

I am incredibly passionate about childhood hunger charities for reasons that are very dear to my heart. Growing up, I had no idea what food insecurity or even hunger was. I grew up in a fairly comfortable home. In fact, we almost always had eggs or cereal for breakfast. The only time I remember having a struggle was during the 1970’s fuel shortage. I remember sitting in the back seat with my brother in our jammies. We would go to wait in long lines that circled for blocks. It was boring, it stressed my parents out, but my brother and I were eating Cheerios in the back seat while waiting and didn’t really feel the problem.

Gabe enjoying Taste of the Nation

My view changed when I adopted children out of the Foster Care system. Two of my children had faced severe food insecurity prior to coming to live in my home. During their time in Foster Care, the social worker mentioned that my Son had eaten medication, rotten pizza, drywall, and parts of his mattress while facing long-term food insecurity. Once I brought him home, he continued to eat batteries, wire, paper, and lots and lots of garbage. It was a little shocking to see. He was sent home from the first grade for eating the crayons. It unnerved his teacher. When questioned by the teacher my son simply said, “I was hungry”.

Why I give to Share our Strength

How does childhood hunger affect children?

Childhood hunger and food insecurity is much more than children not having enough food to eat now and then. It changes the child’s success rate in school and the potential for graduation and college. Hunger often leads to poor eating habits and childhood obesity. Additionally, children who face hunger issues are often sick longer than their peers, recover more slowly, and are hospitalized more often than their counterparts. As you can see, it is not just a problem that comes and goes. It is a problem that will affect a child the rest of their life. You might not have a personal connection to childhood food insecurity, but my guess is that a family in your neighborhood, or church, or possibly extended family is struggling.

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After Taste of the Nation

Watching firsthand the stresses that accompany food insecurity led me to be a monthly contributor, as well as learn as much as I could about Share Our Strength. I have attended a few of their fundraisers including Taste of the Nation in Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. Both of these events were amazing, with loads of yummy morsels.

Their dedication shows

In addition, I have visited the National Office in Washington DC and was able to meet several of their team members. I have never met a more passionate, professional group, dedicated to improving the lives of children in the US. I have spoken with and learned from Cooking Matters program advisors. This is a great program of No Kid Hungry where Cooking Matters team members and volunteers teach parents and children how to make the most of their food dollars and cook homemade balanced meals.

Why I give to Share Our Strength

Finally, I have had the opportunity to twice attend the NoKidHungry Hunger Summit. The wealth of food insecurity information was extensive. It was mixed with hope and tangible paths for those who care to lead and contribute to the cause of childhood hunger in America are huge. Whether Corporate Partnerships, grassroots efforts like Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry, or lobbying for breakfast in the classroom and summer meals programs, Share our Strength is taking the leadership role in solving the issue of childhood food insecurity.

Paella

What will YOU do to make a difference in the lives of children?

So, what will you do to make a difference in the lives of children in America? With $1.00 providing up to 10 meals for kids in need, how much can you spare this week to give to those in need? The way I look at it is not that I am giving $10, but that I am giving 100 meals. Or, not that I am giving $100, but that I am partnering to provide up to 1,000 meals for kids who are in need. With that in mind, what could you skip this week to grow a child’s life? Could you skip a latte and turn $5.00 into 50 meals? Visit NoKidHungry.Org to make a donation today if you are able. If not, share this post on social media or with friends to spread the word about NoKidHungry.Org and get involved locally with your local food bank or food pantry.

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