How To Make This A Summer Of Giving

Last summer, Dave and I had the chance to visit a local branch of the Salvation Army to learn about what they had to offer area children. While we were there we also spoke with representatives from the Cleveland Food Bank and we had a chance to help serve a hot lunch to all the children who were in attendance that day.

This post is sponsored by The Motherhood and Champions For Kids.

It was a very eye opening experience and some of the statistics we learned about child hunger in the U.S. were staggering. It’s inspired me to continue doing what I can to raise awareness for this issue and that’s why I’m wanted to share with you information about how you can make this a Summer of Giving.Here are some astonishing statistics:

• More than 16 million children in the United States – 22% of all children, live in families with incomes below federal poverty level
• Among 35 of the world’s most economically advanced countries, America ranks at the bottom in relative child poverty, second only to Romania?
• 15.9 million children in the U.S. live in food insecure households
• More than 31.6 million children rely on nutrition assistance through the National School Lunch Program

Those are heartbreaking numbers. Keep in mind that 31.6 million children rely on the National School Lunch Program, what are these children doing in the summer?

I’m happy to say there are ways we can help and they are simple too.

Champions For Kids is about harnessing the power of people. They make it simple to give kids in your community the resources they need to thrive. They work with retailers, schools, and community champions to host in-store donation campaigns, service projects, and community events.

Their goal is to provide 5 million meals this summer and help 20 millions kids by the year 2020.

Here’s how we can help.

Simply visit your Walmart freezer aisle between now and July 9th and purchase products from the Summer of Giving supporting sponsors including:

• Tyson
• Bird’s Eye
• State Fair

When you do you’ll be helping feed hungry kids in your community.

On top of that if you visit the Champions For Kids website and share your story of giving through the link on the site, you could be one of seven finalists featured on their Facebook page and in the running to win $25,000 for your school.

We were given a gift card to visit our local Walmart to check out the Summer of Giving info and were pleased to see the stickers on the freezer aisle doors to encourage shoppers to participate.

We then went to Kora & Logan’s school to talk to the staff there about how the program and how this gift card could help out children that attend the school that are in need. We left the gift card with them and are happy to know it will be directly helping children in our neighborhood.

This was such a simple way to give back that I’m looking forward to doing it again. Not only is it helpful to the children in our community but it is a wonderful way for Kora & Logan to learn about the importance of giving back and helping others.

I was also interested to learn that there is another way to help out through Champions For Kids Simple Service Projects. They are an easy way to help your community. Each project has four steps:

• Gather your family, friends, and co-workers
• Learn about the needs of children in your community
• Give items to help kids enjoy happier and healthier lives
• Share your story with Champions For Kids to inspire others

These are great ways to give back and to make this a Summer of Giving. I encourage you to help the children in your community as well and check out Champions for Kids to learn more about their Simple Service Projects.