#GivingTuesday: Share Our Strength
Last week I introduced you to our new feature, #GivingTuesday, which is seven away on November 27 this year and is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year is the launch of #GivingTuesday. As a reminder, it’s a day to celebrate giving – a day when families, charities, businesses, community centers, students, retailers and more can come together to encourage giving during the holiday season. It’s also after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. You know, #GivingTuesday. It’s got a very nice ring to it!
Again, every Tuesday ahead of #GivingTuesday, I will be highlight a non-profit organization that is meaningful to me. I hope that you will consider them in your charitable efforts on #GivingTuesday and in other ways as well, by using your time or your voice. Thank you.
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Today in honor of the UN’s World Food Day, I’m highlight Share Our Strength.
But first, I want to take a quick detour and remind you to sign the One.org’s World Food Day petition that asks world leaders to make measurable commitments to reduce chronic malnutrition for 25 million kids around the globe by 2016 so they can reach their full potential. It’s quick. Please do it! They still need your voice of support.
Now, back to Share Our Strength which is working to end childhood hunger in America. A few years ago, I volunteered at a food bank here in NYC that is a Share our Strength affiliate. It was back in early 2009, soon after President Obama was elected and we were in the throes of the economic recession. Since then Manhattan has stabilized and even recovered, but the rest of the city and the country has clearly not.
It baffles my mind that, according to the latest figures, 16.2 million children in this country face hunger. That number is astounding. One of the most discussed topics on this site is kids and food. Mothers are constantly concerned whether their babies are getting enough breastmilk or their picky eaters enough proper nutrition. And these are mothers who have access to food. How about the ones that cannot afford to provide for their families?
That’s what Share Our Strength is trying to do. They’re ending childhood hunger by connecting kids to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals. They look to provide innovative solutions in local communities through what they call the No Kid Hungry network. It’s made up of private citizens, government officials, nonprofit organizations and businesses who also think that this is unacceptable are looking for change.
How can you help? You can advocate. You can put your time and talents to good use in your community. You can support an event near you that helps connect hungry kids to the food they need. And, of course, you can give.
