Feed the Children, a leading nonprofit focused on alleviating childhood hunger, is asking for community support this GivingTuesday – a global day of generosity that will take place on Dec. 1. Due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is estimated 1 in 4 children may go hungry this holiday season and many experts believe this will be the hungriest holiday season on record.
The organization is asking its neighbors across the country to join in the fight against childhood hunger this GivingTuesday, and throughout the holiday season, by making an online gift or raising awareness of the issue and helping families across the U.S. Participating is simple. Anytime you or someone you know makes a difference in their community, snap a picture and share it on social media with #ShareYourGood.
The nonprofit is also kicking off its 12 Ways to Give campaign on GivingTuesday with the help of its first-ever youth ambassador, Emanne Beasha. For 12 days, Feed the Children will provide information on social media about how individuals or corporations can join in the fight against hunger.
According to new Census survey data, just 44 percent of households with children in the United States are “very confident” that they can afford needed food over the next four weeks — and 3.5 million households, are “not at all confident.” It is estimated that 5.6 million households with children have struggled to put enough food on the table in the past seven days.
Thanks to the support of corporate and community partners, every $1 given to Feed the Children is multiplied 7 times to help fill empty plates for families across the country. During the holiday season alone, Feed the Children will deliver food and essentials to its community partners, providing more than 1.2 million meals to struggling families.
The nonprofit provides critical food and household supplies for parents like Kim and her two daughters. Kim works hard to keep the heat on, pay the bills, and put enough food on the table to feed her family during the holidays. It’s not always easy and sometimes, sacrifices must be made.
“There are times my children will eat first, and I go without a meal just to make sure they’re okay,” she shared. “But how long can I continue doing that?” Through Feed the Children’s network of community and corporate partners, as well as all the individuals who make gifts to help at-risk families, Kim and her daughters will have a happier holiday season. “I barely had food in my cabinet when Feed the Children came and knocked on my door. Now I have a cabinet full of food.”
In addition to the organization’s critical work in the U.S., Feed the Children also works in 10 countries around the world and the pandemic has not stopped this critical program work. In fact, Feed the Children has placed a priority during this crisis on three key elements of its integrated community development approach:
- Providing support to program communities to ensure access to nutritious food and ensuring food security for communities, families and children.
- Continuing to focus on healthy practices, including handwashing, proper hygiene and sanitation, as well as community awareness about COVID-19 and how to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Identifying new ways to communicate with community leaders and program participants to continue to provide relevant information and support to those affected by COVID-19.
To learn how to help create a hunger-free holiday season for children and #ShareYourGood, visit feedthechildren.org or follow them on social media.
