This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Unilever. The opinions and text are all mine.
I’m betting that sometime in your childhood you heard the phrase, “Finish your dinner! There are starving kids in (fill in the name of an impoverished country here) who would love to eat that.”
Yes, we’ve all heard about the kids who don’t have food to eat on the other side of the globe…but what about the kids right in your own neighborhood? The numbers are astounding. Right here in America, there are 16 million children struggling with hunger – that’s the population of Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago combined. That’s 1 in every 5 children who is unaware where their next meal is coming from.
These kids are found in the suburbs, in the cities, in the country. They could be your child’s friend from school, or your neighbor from a few doors down. These 16 million American children look just like your kids and my kids. But they don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
That’s something that kids shouldn’t have to worry about.
This short documentary video was profound for me.
I can relate to these families. I’ve struggled. I know what it’s like to not know where that next meal is going to come from. Luckily for my kids, there always was a next meal and things got better. I am grateful for the variety of experiences and challenges we have had over the last 19 years because I have gained perspective and compassion. I recognize that there are kids everywhere who are dealing with the challenge of not having enough to eat.
The small act of sharing a meal could have a big impact on a family in need.
How to Share A Meal and Turn the Tables on Child Hunger:
- Share A Meal Neighborhood Potluck – Like the families in the video above, host a neighborhood potluck once a month. Invite families to join in and share what they have. I’ve been amazed at how creative people can be with finding something delicious to make with whatever is on their shelves. When everyone pitches in, you fill in all the gaps and end up with a satisfying meal full of variety.
- Get Your Community Involved – Partner with a local community organization to host community potluck in your area. Same idea as the neighborhood potluck, but on an even bigger scale.
- Local Food Drives – Organize a own food drive (perfect for schools, Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups….or just as a family service activity). Or get in touch with a local food and volunteer at a food drive (use the Feeding America online Food Bank Locator tool to find a spot near you).
- Host a Virtual Food Drive – Plan a virtual food drive and set goals online using the Feeding America Personal Fundraiser tool. This would be perfect for the blogging community!
- Be social about sharing – Join me on your social media channels in sharing why you’re helping to end child hunger using the prompt, “I #ShareAMeal because…”
- You Buy One, We Give One – Unilever is releasing a “You Buy One, We Give One” limited-time coupon offer for supermarkets nationwide. You can find the coupon in the November 16 Sunday paper. Coupons can then be redeemed at participating stores – just purchase any participating Unilever product (things you’re already shopping for!) and Unilever will donate one meal to Feeding America. The offer runs from November 16–30, 2014.
- Create your OWN way to share – Be creative and find your own way to Share A Meal. Be sure to get your kids involved so that they can experience the joys of giving.
About Project Sunlight
Unilever’s Project Sunlight is focused on encouraging people to create a brighter future for children in the US by taking small steps to live sustainably, use less and share more. This fall Project Sunlight is focusing on child hunger and by providing resources and encouraging everyone to share the reasons that they “#ShareAMeal.” Download the Share a Meal Toolkit for more ideas on how you can get involved right in your community.
How can your family get involved in Project Sunlight and Share a Meal?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Unilever. The opinions and text are all mine.
© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
