5 Ways You Can Help Turn The Tables On Hunger

There are two things every person needs — oxygen and food. And yet there are 16 million children struggling with hunger in America. These are children in America don’t have access to something as fundamental as a regular source of food. What’s even more astonishing is that hunger in America has no boundaries – rural, urban and suburban – so one of these children could be your own neighbor or even your child’s best friend.  

Hunger is a silent suffering, and the face of hunger may not be what you expect. I am one of 100 influencers across America asked to share this powerful documentary about the changing face of hunger as part of Project Sunlight.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hROIwULP914Project Sunlight is a child-focused initiative that seeks to help create a brighter future for children– by taking small steps to live sustainably, use less and share even more. This fall the initiative shines a light on hunger in America through the documentary Going to Bed Hungry: The Changing Face of Child Hunger (above).

5 Ways Kids And Families Can Help #ShareAMeal

As a mom it breaks my heart to learn that 1 in 5 children are unaware where their next meal is coming from. And it is important to me to be part of the solution and to teach my children to be part of the solution. Teaching kids about the importance of giving back to their community is an important a life lesson that will help shape the adults they will be come.

Food Drives – Just this week a flyer came home from school about a food drive and a bag appeared in our mailbox for a Boy Scout collection. Instead of quietly donating to these drives without the knowledge of my kids, I make donating a big deal. I ask my daughter to help me pick out foods to be donated and talked to her about why it was important. 

Donate Money – Did you know that with $1 Feed America can serve 10 meals. That’s a big impact that even children can take part in. My daughter earns her allowance in three parts — 50% spend, 25% save and 25% share. While her allowance isn’t big, with Feed America she can make a big impact just by donating a couple of dollars from her share jar. Kids can also earn money to donate to Feed America by doing small chores or holding a lemonade stand. 

Donate Time – Food drives are an important way to collect food for those who are hungry, but it takes volunteers who give of their time to get that food into the hands of children. In every city and town across America there are food banks in need of volunteers. Take your kids to volunteer, show them the value of their time and help them to be an active part of the solution.

Spread Awareness – With so many children in America unsure where their next meal will come from we need to talk about the problem — we need to shout about the problem so that everyone can hear. Talking about the problem with your kids and looking for ways that you can be part of the solution is just the start – be an example to others by sharing the message. Tell people how and why you share a meal. When we spread awareness, we spread solutions too. 

You Buy One, We Give One – As part of the Sunlight Project Unilever will launch a “You Buy One, We Give One” limited-time coupon offer for supermarkets nationwide in the Sunday paper on November 14, 2014. By redeeming these coupons at participating stores and Unilever will donate one meal to Feeding America when you purchase any participating Unilever product. Look for these special coupons to help be part of the solution. 

To learn more visit ProjectSunlight and follow along on Twitter and Facebook. Use #ShareAMeal and join the conversation!

How will you Share A Meal?

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