Giving Thanks and Eliminating Childhood Hunger

What if you woke up one morning, went to the pantry and it was empty? You eagerly rushed to the fridge in hopes of getting rid of your hunger pains from the night before. All you could dream about were fresh strawberries with some milk and cereal. But when you opened up the fridge, there was nothing. This isn’t a bad dream or a nightmare because according to No Kid Hungry it is a reality for many. One in 5 children here in the U.S. face that situation everyday. Sixty-two percent of teachers say that their students come hungry to school every morning. Many will receive lunch and possibly breakfast through programs at their schools. However, dinner and meals over the weekend are not a part of the program.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:12-14

No Kid Hungry grew out of Share Our Strength, which began in the basement of a row house on Capitol Hill in 1984. Brother and sister team, Bill and Debbie Shore, started the organization in response to the ‘84-‘85 famine in Ethiopia. They believed that everyone has the ability to share in the global fight against hunger and poverty, and that in these shared strengths lie sustainable solutions. Today the organization focuses their efforts on making No Kid Hungry a reality in America.

The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need with nutritious food and teaches their families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. It also engages the public to make ending child hunger a national priority. When people support the organization, No Kid Hungry is able to help launch school breakfast programs, recruit summer meals sites, and empower families to shop for and prepare healthy meals. Additionally, it provides grants to the most effective hunger-fighting organizations across the country to help them end child hunger in their communities.

Ayesha Curry, NY Times bestseller, established food expert and mom of two, is also a Cheeky Kids Ambassador.  In addition to sharing about the brands’ mission, cause, and products, Curry, will be an advocate for No Kid Hungry. She hopes to continue to leverage her influence to bring even more attention to child hunger in the U.S.

Curry shares why she is excited to partner with Cheeky Kids to help No Kid Hungry.

“It gives me a chance to combine my passions for parenting, cooking, and ending childhood hunger with No Kid Hungry. Together, we’re going to make a difference by offering parents beautiful products that make their lives easier and give back to make children’s lives better – the perfect combination.”

^“ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

Risen Reflections

Help others. There are people all around us that could use a little extra help. Whether it is a meal, groceries, or getting connected to a resource, there are neighbors, classmates, friends at church and people in our small group that might have lost their job or are going through a rough financial season. It is often hard to ask for help. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone that you can help. It might mean just doing a random act of kindness or it might mean reaching out and asking the person how you can help them. God uses us to help others to draw us closer to one another and to Himself. If your church does not have a food pantry, consider connecting with your local food pantry to see if you can be a distribution center.

Skip one. Shelene Bryan of Skip1.org reminds others to skip one meal, one coffee or one outfit and use that money instead to help others. Take the money you would spend on a meal or on a coffee drink and donate it to a local food pantry or organization that helps feed others. Many pantries and organizations prefer monetary donations as they are able to purchase food at a lower price from distributors. Rather than focus on the one meal that you missed or the purse you didn’t buy, ask God to make you aware of all the things that you have. Take time to pray and write down all the things that you are thankful for.

Give back. There are many organizations and products that have partnerships to help end hunger. Whether it is Cheeky products, Toms, This Bar Saves Lives, or 31 Bits, research the products that you use every day. If there are ones that give back to organizations that you are passionate about, consider purchasing those products. Many organizations even have resources on their website like videos and social invites if you want to help share the information with others.