Yesterday, as part of my partnership with the ConAgra Foods’ Child Hunger Ends Here campaign, I had the pleasure of hosting a blogger tour of the The Capital Area Food Bank along with my friend Jessica from A Parent in Silver Spring. It’s one thing to read about childhood hunger, but to actually meet with the volunteers and tour the facility really gave me a deeper understanding of the issue.
Some of what I learned: In the Washington DC Metro area, there are 641,000 residents at risk for hunger. In the district alone, 1 in 2 children under 18 is at risk for hunger. We heard stories of kids who eat their last meal for the entire weekend at school on Friday. They show up to school famished on Monday and down some cereal before class. I had to fast a few years ago before some blood work and found the process painful. I can’t even imagine not eating anything for an entire weekend.
Founded in 1980 on Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest, nonprofit hunger and nutrition education resource in the Washington Metropolitan area. Beginning with the dream of helping to feed area residents who are facing or at risk of hunger, their mission has grown into so much more. The Capital Area Food Bank works to educate, empower and enlighten the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition. Their community-building initiative educate the community about the importance of healthy diets and advocate for public policies that serve the interests of their constituencies. The bank’s employees and volunteers are passionate and proud to share their stories. The whole experience was inspiring.
Our guide, Claudia, with a volunteer
- Ben, hide and seeking
- Kids Cafe section
The Capital Area Food Bank offers tours each month from 11:30-12:30 and they can also be arranged privately. They accept help of any kind, from cans of food, to loading and unloading, to donations of things you might have around the house. If you are in the DC area and looking for some good karma, please check them out.
{I’m being compensated by ConAgra to serve as a blogger correspondent on this campaign.}
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
It was an enlightening day, and a very enjoyable and unique blogging experience for me. I’m so glad I could participate!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk recently posted..Where Are the Blossoms PSF – GMYBS
I loved seeing you, as always. So glad you made the schlep!!
LOVE your post and co-hosting with you!! Thanks for making the trek to The District!
Jessica McFadden – A Parent in Silver Spring recently posted..Birthday Party Places for Kids in Washington- DC and nearby
I adore you. Thank you for everything!!!
you’re a good person momma! i heart you!
vanillasugarblog recently posted..chocolate-pb eggs with crunchy filling
I heart you, too. My ass, however, wishes I would stop reading your blog.
Thank you. We are often asked to help, but rarely realize how many people in our own neighborhood could use a helping hand. Truly humbling.
Stasha recently posted..I will cross that bridge when
We’re so accustomed to hearing about hunger in other areas of the world. I’m betting that few people understand the breadth of the problem right here in our own country. To know that our own children are going an entire weekend without eating is almost beyond comprehension.
The food bank and its volunteers are such a valuable asset to the community. Every day that the food bank helps the community is a step closer to eliminating the problem.
I am sad and amazed by those numbers!
There is a child in my son’s class that the teacher is always worried about eating enough. So hard.
So amazing of you to use your blog to highlight this issue. Kudos…
Theresa recently posted..I love a good ‘used’ woman
I loved you already and now you’ve given me another reason to love you. What a wonderful cause.
The Culture Mom recently posted..Family Day at the Jewish Museum on May 15th
What a wonderful thing to do !! Great cause !
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