Food Fun Family

Project Sunlight: Share A Meal to Turn the Tables on Child Hunger

Lolli — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:00:32 +0000

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.

Say Happy Mother’s Day with a #Moem

Lolli — Sun, 11 May 2014 02:29:05 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of MetLife Foundation. All opinions are 100% mine.

My mom is pretty amazing. We had a close relationship growing up but it was after I became a mother myself 17 and a half years ago that my love and respect for her quadrupled.

I may be a seasoned mom now, but I’ll always be a daughter…and I will always look to my mom for advice and support because I still have so much to learn!

I struggle each Mother’s Day to know how to say thank you and I love you best. I am horrible about remembering to mail a card and we’re too far away from each other to be able to head out for a Mother’s Day lunch together.

This year, I’m saying I love you with a Moem.

What is a #Moem?

A “Moem” is a poem (preferably rhyming) written to pay tribute to moms and grandmas and women who have influenced us as we celebrate Mother’s Day…and then posted on social channels in 135 characters or less.

Here are a couple examples (probably better than mine!):

Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small. Spending today with my Mom, is the greatest of them all. #moem

I forget around this time, almost every year, I owe it to her to say thank you, to my beautiful Mother dear. #moem

Here's mine:

Not poetic? No worries!

The Moem Maker www.moemmaker.com can get you started. They have a bunch of beginnings that you can choose from, then they’ve got suggested rhyming words to get your poetic juices flowing.

When your moem is ready, share your tribute to Mom on social media (Facebook or Twitter) with the hashtag #moem.

Mother's Day Dress for Success #moem

For every #moem written and shared with the hashtag this Mother’s Day, MetLife will donate $10 toward Dress for Success Worldwide – with a goal of $50,000.

Dress for Success helps low-income women achieve economic independence for themselves and their families through supporting their search for professional employment. Hurry, though – while you can create a #Moem anytime, the Dress for Success Mother's Day donation ends at Midnight on Mother's Day.

What would you say in your Mother’s Day tribute to your mom?

Are you ready for the challenge? Use the Moem Maker to make a Moem and then share it on your social channels. Feel free to tag me (@1momof5) so that I can read your Moem, too! Remember – each tribute shared by the end of Mother’s Day will result in a $10 donation to make a better life for women in need. It’s like two Mother’s Day gifts in one.

One Night Without Lights Challenge #IKEABrighterLives

Lolli — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:01:56 +0000

I was talking to a friend on the phone before we embarked on our One Night Without Lights challenge. “But WHY? You’re doing this…voluntarily?” She couldn’t understand why I would subject the whole family to a night without the use of any lights.

The story behind the Night Without Lights Challenge:

To begin, go scan over my original post about Brighter Lives for Refugees. That gives you most of the information you’ll need.

The campaign is primarily about offering a brighter future for refugee families across the world…but I was personally interested to share the experience with my kids to see how they reacted and what they took away from a night without lights.

Brighter Lives for Refugees

Many families living in refugee camps around the world must deal not only with difficult living conditions but also the absence of lights at night. Imagine life without any lights – once the sun goes down, no work can be done. It is dangerous or impossible to do even the most basic tasks, like going to the restroom or brushing teeth. Even cooking and eating dinner becomes a challenge in the dark.

The Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign will help to provide solar street lights, indoor solar lanterns, and other renewable energy technologies such as fuel efficient cooking stoves in UNHCR refugee camps in countries including Ethiopia, Chad, Bangladesh and Jordan. In addition the campaign will also fund improved primary education.

IKEA will donate one euro (or USD $1.37) to the UN refugee agency UNHCR for every IKEA LEDARE – LED light bulb sold during the campaign period, from February 3 through March 29, 2014. Additional information can be found here.

Night #1: No Lights At All

On Tuesday, we were challenged to spend the entire evening – from the time the sun went down until we fell asleep at night – without ANY source of light (minus the natural light of the moon). And, yes, that included cell phones (how often do you use your cell phone as a flashlight, especially when getting in to bed? I do it all the time!).

It took a lot of planning and preparation to get ready for our evening in the dark. We ate dinner a little earlier than usual so that we could have the setting sunlight to light the table. We had all brought pillows and blankets into the family room so that we could retire there after we ate. We got comfortable and settled in. The younger kids wouldn’t leave the room without a buddy. After talking for a while in the dark, Necco suggested that we listen to an audio book together (we let that slide because the Kindle doesn’t have a backlight). While it was tricky to get the audio book started using the moon light, once it was playing, we were able to cuddle comfortably on the couch and enjoy the story. Two of the kids fell asleep pretty quickly.

The most challenging aspects of Night #1 without any lights were:

Going to the bathroom was next to impossible in the dark. OK, maybe not impossible. Certainly uncomfortable and strange. All we had to do was walk through our house. I can’t imagine having to walk through a camp, not knowing WHAT I might step on or trip over, or WHO I might stumble upon.

Work ceased. Nothing productive happened after the sun went down. We couldn’t even enjoy recreational activities, like reading or crocheting.

It wasn’t all bad, though. While AJ did comment that he felt “naked and cold” in the dark (even though he wasn’t either), everyone was in good spirits and approached it like an adventure. And we definitely got more sleep than we usually do. Sitting in the dark has a way of making even the most stubborn eyelids get droopy.

Night #2: Use only one lamp

After spending the first night without any lights, I was surprised that my kids never uttered a single complaint about the second night of our challenge. We kept our house lights off on night number 2, but this time we were able to use the light from a single solar-powered lantern. It is amazing how bright one light seems in the midst of over-powering darkness.

With one lantern, we were able to eat dinner together and clean up the table, crochet after dinner, and see where we were going when we went to the bathroom or upstairs to go to bed. Everyone was more lively on the second night, and although what we DID was not that different from the first night, the way we felt certainly was.

Some thoughts:

Every month, we take a day to fast (ie, go without food for a few meals). It’s cleansing. It helps me to focus and “reset.” This experience of going without lights (and subsequently almost all of our electronics) felt very similar to fasting to me. Going into this experience, I was nervous. I had no idea how we’d actually spend our time. But looking back, we all had such a positive experience that we would consider doing it again….as a way to reconnect, “cleanse” from all of our electronics, and focus on the things that are most important.

The over-powering thought that kept going through my mind was that these families living without light night after night can’t do anything once the sun goes down. How much further ahead could they get with the ability to get things done at night, after the work of the day is done?

The Challenge was profound for us. I would definitely recommend taking the Night Without Lights challenge – as a way to teach kids about this important campaign or simply as a way to “fast” from the light and noise that we typically take in all the time.

How would YOUR family pass the time during One Night Without Lights?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Brighter Lives for Refugees #IKEABrighterLives

Lolli — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:00:33 +0000

This past week brought some pretty major storms through our area. Ice covered everything – the roads, the walkways, and the trees. As beautiful as the ice-encased trees are to look at, they almost always mean one thing: trees are going to fall and the power is going to go out.

Storms knock out our power a few times a year. Usually, the power is restored within a few hours and we’re back to our normal routine. When the power is out during the day, the house gets cold and we have to get creative about the food we eat (we try to avoid opening the fridge and there’s no way to cook anything)…but the kids look at it as an adventure. When the power is out at night, things get a little more tricky. We pull out the flashlights and lanterns and turn on the kerosene heater, which provides both heat and light. And we get by until the power comes back on again.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, my family and I will be participating in challenge. On night one, we will not use any light source (and yes that includes no cell phone or computer use). On night two, we will have the use of one solar-powered LED lantern. Sure, we’ll still have a working heater and fridge. But a night without any lights during the winter when it gets dark at 5:30? It’s going to be tough. I’ll be reporting back after our experience next week to let you know how it went. I’m particularly interested to see how my kids react. No TV, no iPods, no light when they use the bathroom…

The biggest question, of course, is WHY. Why are we taking the one night without light challenge? It’s all about offering a brighter future for some families across the world…and for teaching my kids about Brighter Lives for Refugees.

Brighter Lives for Refugees

What a Difference a Light Can Make

Why solar lights? How much of a difference will a few lights make?

The absence or lack of light after sunset can have a devastating effect on safety and security for those living in refugee camps. Simple activities such as visiting the toilet, collecting water or returning to the shelter from elsewhere can become difficult and dangerous, particularly for women and girls.
The improvements funded by the campaign will make each refugee camp a safer and more suitable home for refugee children and their families.
Solar street lights can improve safety in refugee camps by reducing the risk of crime, sexual and gender-based violence.
Solar lanterns help girls and boys in refugee camps study after dark, improving results in school.
Solar street lights help improve life in a refugee camp, enabling more community gatherings and social activities.
Solar lanterns allow refugees to continue important income-generating activities such as weaving or sewing during the dark hours.
Solar lanterns enable refugees to run their small shops and kiosks into the evening, increasing prospects of generating a sustainable income.

Key Facts About LED Lighting

LED lighting consumes 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 20 times longer.
If one million people changed one bulb each into LED, this would in terms of CO2 emissions correspond to taking almost 6,700 cars off the road, or planting 17 million trees per year.
The total annual cost saving (including purchase price and energy consumption cost) of switching one incandescent 40W bulb to a corresponding LED bulb, is approximately $6.25 (5.3 Euro) on average.
LED bulbs use substantially less power than incandescents or CFLs. Replacing existing lighting with LEDs can save between 50% and 90% of lighting energy costs.
LED replacements are already available for many bulb types and can fit virtually all of your existing lamps.

I can’t wait to share our experience this coming week as we go a whole night without lights. Join me on Thursday, February 13 at 5:00pm PT/ 8:00pm ET. Yes, there will be prizes (Seven $50 Amex Gift Cards, Five portable solar lanterns and One $150 Amex Gift Card Grand Prize). RSVP here. Feel free to RT the tweet below and meet me at the party!

Share how you live sustainably at @IKEAUSANews Twitter Party! 2/13 5pmPT https://t.co/teRtFwarnP #IKEABrighterLives

— Lolli Franklin (@1momof5) February 8, 2014

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Give Childhood with Vitamin Angels

Lolli — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:32:20 +0000

This post brought to you by Vitamin Angels Give Childhood. All opinions are 100% mine.

I grew up two doors away from one of my best friends, down the street from my other. My childhood was spent running back and forth between their houses, exploring the neighborhood, building forts and digging holes to China (yes, we really did that), and hanging out in the cherry tree.

My childhood was carefree, happy. I had toys. I had friends. I had little sisters and a cute little brother that I loved to scare at night. Just for fun. I read books, I played with Barbies, and I wrote my own stories fueled by my imaginantion.

A healthy, happy opportunity-rich childhood is something every child deserves, but not something that every child has the chance to realize. One of the biggest problems that children face world-wide is that of undernutrition. The foundation for good health throughout a child's life begins with proper nutrition, and without those vital nutrients, it become harder and harder for that child to reach his or her full potential.

Give the Gift of Childhood

Give Childhood back to children in need with Vitamin Angels. For as little as 25 cents, you can give one child the vitamin supplements he or she needs for an entire year. Vitamin supplementation is a simple and cost-effective way of giving children something that they so deperately need….and something that could change their lives for good.

Your support today will give the gift of childhood to those in need worldwide so please donate now by visiting Vitamin Angels Give Childhood to make a donation that will help deliver essential vitamins and minerals to at risk children in need.

Take a look at this infographic at how LITTLE 25 cents really is (how many quarters do you have lying around your house…in the bottom of your purse, in the dish on top of your dresser, in the jar in the kitchen?).

A little bit really does go a long way, and if many people pitch in, $300,000 raised is enough to provide 1.2 million children around the livesaving and enriching vitamin supplements that they need. With your help, in 2014 Vitamin Angels will reach over 40 million children in 50 countries, including the U.S. and suppply them with the vitamins that they need. Ready to Give Childhood today?

When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above it #RiseAboveIt

Lolli — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:51:29 +0000

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Pine-Sol blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

If you were to ask me who my biggest role model is, I would name my mom without hesitation. My mom has always been my strongest example of perseverance and optimism, enduring the death of a spouse at a very early age, raising 5 kids to adulthood, and spending so much of her time serving other people. She has truly been one of my greatest examples as well as one of my best friends.

It’s a lot easier to talk about other people, but when the tables are turned and I’m asked to talk about myself…it’s funny how quickly things get uncomfortable.

As I was thinking about how I have been able to “rise above it” and be a role model and example to other women, my mind was drawn back to a time many years ago. My husband (CandyMan) had recently taken a position as an intern at a non-profit organization in Washington D.C. I was a recent college graduate with a fresh teaching degree in early childhood education. I was also a brand new mom.

As we prepared to move to a new area, knowing that CandyMan’s internship would not bring in much money, I searched for a childcare position that would allow me to stay with my tiny daughter. We were personally referred to a family in the new area that was looking for a live-in nanny who could not only provide child care, but also help with homework and piano after school, grocery shopping during the day, and meal preparation at night. The situation seemed ideal; we would get lodgings in exchange for taking care of the kids and the home. We got along fabulously with the family.

After only two weeks into my nanny position, we very abruptly and shockingly found ourselves needing to start over. One night we went to bed feeling secure in our place there. The next morning we were quite literally homeless, with a truck full of belongings and our family of three….with nowhere to go and no money to get there.

It took me years to be able to think about that day without shaking with emotion.

The next few months were still quite difficult – we found a room to rent (I’ll have to tell you the story of the roommate who would try to hide the fact that she was stealing our food and milk from our refrigerator sometime…) and I found a different child care position. It wasn’t easy, though. None of the families seeking full-time child care wanted someone with their own “tag-along” baby. Amazingly, a short 6 months later CandyMan started a new job (with a regular income!) and we were able to purchase our home.

My first year of being a mother included 7 moves (and two weeks of being homeless), a baby with colic who shared a room with us, a crash-course in driving a stick shift (another good story), having our food regularly stolen, and long, tiring hours of watching someone else’s child and waiting on an injured mother.

That year was difficult to say the least.

The following year, as I sat with a new friend in our new neighborhood and shared with her those still-fresh memories, her eyes teared up and she said to me, “Laura, someday those experiences, as difficult as they seemed to get through, with enable you to understand the struggles of another woman in a way that not many people ever will. That experience has given you compassion and insight, and you will be a role model for other women who feel like they can’t get out of their current situations. You will understand what it feels like to be homeless and hopeless and scared, and other women will sense that. And YOU will give them hope because of what you have gone through and how you have risen above it.”

The unique experiences that we each go through prepare us to be role models to others, even though we may not feel worthy of the role.

Who are YOUR role models?

My role models tend to be women in my family, at church or in my community who I admire and who have faced life challenges with smiles on their faces – the way I would hope to do, too. Recently, Wakefield Research conducted a survey among women in the U.S on behalf of the makers of Pine-Sol® Products. The results showed that I follow the norm – 86% of women age 35 and older say that their predominate female role models are people they know personally, not celebrities or political figures. According to the survey, women reported that their best female role models were in their family (60%) and their communities (24%). 65% felt like they were currently acting as a role model to someone else.

Pine-Sol awarded a $25,000 donation to Women Empowered, a nonprofit based in Los Angeles that connects, educates and supports women of all ages and backgrounds, inspiring them to give back to their communities.

Pine-Sol’s “When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It!” campaign

Pine-Sol has teamed up with actress and activist Rosie Perez to launch the “When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It!” campaign. Have you had an experience where you have been able to rise above adversity and overcome challenges? The makers of Pine-Sol would love to hear your stories…and I know that other women will be inspired when they hear them, too. We all face challenges, and hearing inspiring stories of other women who have persevered makes getting through those challenges a little bit easier.

“Women Rise Above It” Sweepstakes

From now through January 31, 2014, you can share your own personal stories of triumph and perseverance in the “Women Rise Above It” Sweepstakes for a chance to win weekly prizes (once a week for 12 weeks!) as well as an amazing grand prize. One weekly winner will be awarded a token of appreciation (a flower bouquet and Pine-Sol coupons) (ARV: $150). Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year (ARV: $2,400). One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to a deluxe hotel where they will enjoy a well-deserved spa service, rest and relaxation (ARV: $5,000). ENTER HERE!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 18 years and older. Ends 1/31/14 at 11:59 a.m. PT. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit www.womenriseaboveit.com. Void where prohibited.

I’d love to hear the stories of the women who have inspired and been an example to you! How have strong women shaped an influenced who you are today?

Pine-Sol Official Site
Pine-Sol Facebook: Facebook.com/Pinesol
Pine-Sol Youtube: Youtube.com/user/PinesolPower

Disclaimer: This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Pine-Sol blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

Publishers Clearing House 3rd Annual Give Back Event

Lolli — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 13:00:07 +0000

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

When you think about Publishers Clearing House you probably think about big checks and winning lots of money. Who wouldn’t love to get a large check written out to YOU?

Did you know that Publishers Clearing House (PCH) isn’t just about prizes? For the third year in a row, PCH is hosting the Give Back Event on their Facebook page. Just last year they gave $100,000 to charity.

Publishers Clearing House Ongoing Charitable Efforts

The founders of Publishers Clearing House, Harold and LuEsther Mertz (who are now deceased), began Publisher’s Clearing House’s legacy of generosity. Over 40% of PCH’s profits benefit charities that support the arts, human rights, the environment, medical research, education and other worthy causes.

Publisher’s Clearing House not only loves making individual’s dreams come true, but they also want to make dreams come true for people and charities in need.

The 2013 PCH Give Back Event

This year’s Give Back Event features three charities: USO, ASPCA and St. Jude. You can learn more about all three charities’ missions and programs. Fans can vote for their favorite charity once a day. The charity with the most votes at the end of 4 weeks will be given $50,000 (second place will receive $35,000 and the third place charity will be given $25,000).

About this year’s charities:

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: The mission of St. Jude is to find cures and save children. St. Jude opened in 1962 and was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life.

USO: The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops, their families, our wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit 501(C)3 organization.

ASPCA: The mission of the ASPCA, as stated by Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

You can be a winner, too

After you’ve voted to support your favorite charities, you’ll also have the opportunity to win cash for yourself. Each vote you cast for a charity is an entry into both a SuperPrize® and the Give Back Exclusive Prize ($5,000 prizes will be awarded to fans, too). How awesome would that be?

Publishers Clearing House is hosting the 3rd annual Give Back charity event! This year fans can vote for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, The ASPCA, or the USO to receive a combined $100,000 in charitable donations! Plus three lucky voters will win $5000 from Publishers Clearing House!

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

Help Kids Stand Up to Bullying #RaiseAGiant

Lolli — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 12:00:15 +0000

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark. All thoughts are my own.

Bullying is a topic that hits too close to home.

It’s unfortunate. It’s painful. It’s heartbreaking. And I know that my family is not alone.

That’s why I’m sharing this important message about how we can all take small and simple – but meaningful – steps to stand up to bullying – and stop bullying now.

Watch this video to see how Green Giant, partnering with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and We Day Minnesota, suggests that we start:

The mission of the “Raise a Giant” initiative is straight forward: we can stop bullying when kids (those who are being bullied or those who witness it) simply speak up and say, “That’s not right. That’s not okay.” As simple as may be to say the words “in theory,” though, finding the courage to stand up and say something is not always so easy. That’s where parents and mentors come in.

What you should know about bullying:

What can you do?

Write a letter to your kids telling them how special they are and encouraging them to be part of the bullying prevention solution by being a giant.

What Does it Mean To Be A Giant?
Being a giant isn’t about being the biggest or the best. Being a giant means standing up for others. It means lending a hand to those who are in trouble and speaking up for those who sometimes find it hard to speak up for themselves.

Encourage friends and family members in your community to write their own letters and post them at RaiseAGiant.com
Share the Raise a Giant Video, Infographic (below), and Tips For Talking To Your Kids About Bullying (PDF) on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter (*you are welcome to share any of the infographics found here or save them to your computer to share elsewhere).
Change your Facebook profile picture to the Raise A Giant icon (right) to show your support.

Find more tips and graphics to share on Green Giant’s Facebook page.

What to say to your child about bullying:

About Green Giant’s “Raise a Giant” Partners:

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center

– Green Giant is partnering with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center to develop an in-school student-to-student curriculum helping students understand how they can handle bullying. This partnership enables Green Giant to help those impacted directly by bullying – students.

We Day Minnesota

– Green Giant is one of the proud title sponsors of We Day Minnesota – a stadium sized youth empowerment event that brings together inspiring speakers and performers to celebrate students who are making a difference both locally and globally. By sponsoring We Day, Green Giant is able to equip educators and youth with the tools and resources they need to become effective advocates of bullying prevention and peer-to-peer support.

$25 Gift Card Giveaway

General Mills is sending a $25 gift card to one lucky Better in Bulk reader. Please enter on the Rafflecopter below by November 9, 2013, at midnight when a winner will be selected at random and notified via email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note, it is not required as part of the giveaway to share the infographics or video in this post, but I highly encourage you to do so! This is such an important topic! We can all stand up together to end bullying. Thanks for your help!

Making Lemonade Out of Lemons – Corner Bakery Supports #NoKidHungry

Lolli — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:13:49 +0000

If I don’t keep my cupboards stocked with my kids’ favorite cereals, I’m likely to hear cries of “There’s nothing to EAT!” until I get the shelves restocked. Despite their sometimes-picky tastes, my kids have got it good, and they know it.

I’ve spent enough time at schools – as a young teacher many years ago and as a parent volunteer more recently – to know that many kids come to school hungry. Really hungry. When they complain, “There’s nothing to eat!” they mean just that.

The alarming facts on childhood hunger:

16 million kids in America do not have consistent access to adequate food. That’s one in five kids.
22% of kids 18 and under live in poverty in America.

September is No Kid Hungry month and thousands of restaurants nationwide are showing their support by offering special promotions for Dine Out for No Kid Hungry.

Corner Bakery Cafe is joining No Kid Hungry Month with a special offer and an easy way to donate….along with two amazing new flavors of lemonade. The Old-Fashioned Lemonade features a classic lemon taste while the Hibiscus Lemonade is made with a delicious blend of pomegranate, berries, lemons and a touch of hibiscus. Both lemonades are all natural and fat free.

Here’s how it works:

Now through September 30, 2013, guests can purchase a special edition 16 oz. tumbler for $4.99. One dollar from each tumbler purchase can help the No Kid Hungry campaign connect children in need to up to 10 meals.

Guests who purchase the new tumblers will receive lemonade refills for just $1.00 on returning visits through September, with 10 percent of the lemonade proceeds also going toward No Kid Hungry.

Corner Bakery Cafe has partnered with Share Our Strength for the past five years and expects to surpass $1 million in total contributions to Share Our Strength.

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign

No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Find out more at NoKidHungry.org.

* Follow along on twitter @nokidhungry or using hashtag #nokidhungry, and connect with No Kid Hungry on Facebook.

Note: This is a social good post and no compensation was received.

Food Fun Family

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About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign