How Kids Can #ShareAMeal and Fight Hunger

Childhood hunger is a big issue–here in America there are 16 million children struggling with hunger. It can feel overwhelming to read about and as parents the statistic that 1 in 5 kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from can stop us cold.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t help. I’ve partnered with Unilever Project Sunlight to spread the word about how families, even kids, can #shareameal and help kids in their communities!

Teach Kids to #ShareAMeal

There are hungry kids everywhere, in rural areas, in urban areas, in the suburbs. One of these children could be your neighbor or a friend on the soccer team. This is why it’s so important to get involved.

Grocery Shop for the Food Pantry

The grocery store is full of learning opportunities for kids including making giving to others a regular part of your routine. Talk to kids about healthy food choices and let them pick out some food to donate to others.

Plant a Garden to Share

Kids love to grow things. Start a family garden and share the fruits, veggies, or herbs you grow with other families in your community. You don’t have to have a lot of space or a green thumb, there are lots of plants that do well in a container garden.

Host Your Own Food Drive

Help your kids plan and organize a food drive for your local food bank. You can invite friends to a play date where everyone brings food to donate or pass out flyers to your neighbors to leave food out front for your family to collect. Use Feeding America’s Local Food Bank Locater to find a food bank in your area.

Donate Money

Collect money to give to the food bank. Put out a jar and collect spare change or decide to eat in one night and give the money you would have spent to Feeding America. A little bit of money goes a long way, $1 = 10 meals for people in need.

There’s a great quote from Mr. Rogers about looking for the helpers in times of crisis. I think if this case we can take that one step further and teach our kids to be the helpers.

The small acts of kindness you do with your kids when they are young empowers them to meet the challenges they face in life. And teaches them that even a small act, when multiplied over time, can make a difference.

Watch the Going to Bed Hungry: The Changing Face of Child Hunger documentary and get involved. To learn more visit www.ProjectSunlight.us. Use #shareameal and join the conversation!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Unilever. The opinions and text are all mine.