Why a Pledge?
Because it's going to take lots of us to solve childhood hunger. We need to create an army of supporters who are committed to stamping out hunger once and for all. By adding your name, you are joining a movement of people united to put an end to childhood hunger. And your signature is just the first step.
Once you've taken the Pledge, you'll become part of our No Kid Hungry community. We'll provide you with real, meaningful ways that you can make a difference in your area.
Why now?
Our nation has the food and programs in place to end childhood hunger, but consider what we are up against: The stigmas and embarrassment that surround hunger, the challenges presented by access to healthy food, and the struggle to connect children with the resources they need to thrive.
For 25 years, Share Our Strength has been confronting hunger head-on to break down these barriers. Together, with your support, we can put an end to childhood hunger. Will you join us in the No Kid Hungry campaign?
What We're Doing We've made a commitment to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. See what we're doing and keep up with the campaign as it grows. Be sure to subscribe to our news feed to receive updates about what we're doing to end childhood hunger.
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Katie's Story and the need for backpack programs
With seven brothers and one sister, 8-year-old Katie doesn't always get enough to eat at home. "We haven't been going to the grocery store lately because my mama and papa haven't been getting paid," says Katie, without fully knowing the impact of her words.
Katie and her siblings are being raised by their mother and grandfather. And she's just one of the many children in the Houston area who don't have regular access to the food they need to stay full and focused at school. That's why Katie's school implemented Houston Food Bank's Backpack Buddy Club program.
This program identifies chronically hungry children and provides them with a sack full of nutritious, kid-friendly food each Friday to last through the weekend. Since Katie and a majority of her classmates come from low income families, 97% of students participate in the free or reduced-price school meal program. The Backpack Buddy Club serves as a lifeline for many kids and their families.
Communities in Schools Project Manager Christine Bell helps operate a local Backpack Buddy Club and says the food the kids receive has made a huge difference in their behavior and concentration in class. |
"Teachers are seeing kids more alert in class, and they're doing better [academically]," she says. "They're good kids and they really need this program. They feel at ease knowing there's an outlet for them to get what they need - what they don't have at home. And with that need being met, they have more time to worry about their education and not where their next meal is coming from."
It is support from organizations like Share our Strength to Houston Food Bank that makes it possible for students at 98 schools here in southeast Texas to come to school on Monday mornings full and focused - and they're grateful for your compassion.
Jeff Bridges
No Kid Hungry
Spokesperson and
Academy-Award Winning Actor
Learn More About Jeff »
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