December 6, 2010

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Victory

Author: Brady Koch

Thanks to each of you who called their representatives, the House passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This bill invests an additional $4.5 billion over the next 10 years in childhood nutrition programs that will have a direct impact in Second Harvest’s own Childhood Hunger Programs.

 - We provide snacks to 13 after school programs through Kids Café. With this new legislation, we will be able to be reimbursed for more substantial meals. We will now be able to offer even more food to many more children through this enhanced afterschool supper program.

- How can kids learn on an empty stomach? School breakfast programs offer at risk children meals before the start of each school day. Unfortunately many schools do not have the opportunity to participate in the program. The act expands school funding to start more of these programs nationwide.

- Easier access to free and reduced price lunches. Many efficiencies will be made to take some of the paperwork out of the eligibility process for lunches.

- State Childhood Hunger Strategies will be fostered through a new challenge grant program.I’m excited to see what new child-hunger concepts will be developed in the next decade through this program.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has much more to it including nutrition education and higher standards for school meals. The next step for the bill is being signed off on by the President.

Be sure to thank your legislators for passing this bill and doing their part in Fighting Hunger in Central Florida.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

 

Update: President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free America Act into law on Tuesday, December 14, 2010.

June 23, 2010

Every Cause Needs A Champion

Author: Sasha Hausman

We would like to introduce you to 11 year-old Abbey Brunault.

Abbey came into the food bank a couple of weeks to show us a video she had created for her class. Abbey’s teacher, Mrs. Patti Gordon, asked her class to learn more about a non-profit. Out of all the wonderful organizations in Central Florida, Abbey ended up choosing Second Harvest Food Bank.

All the information on the video Abbey grabbed from our brochures and website. She created the video on her computer and used pictures she took herself when she and her mom came to volunteer. We are in the process of getting this video on our youtube page. Be sure to check back next week to see the posted video.

In addition to creating this amazing video, Abbey handed us a check for $200 out of her own money. What an amazing individual.

We were all so touched by Abbey’s commitment to fighting hunger that we asked her to speak at our Feeding Hope Breakfast. The title of her speech was Hunger is Unacceptable.

We frequently present examples of kids whose families are struggling with poverty, and who need food assistance.  Today, we’re thrilled to present an example of just the opposite.   

A kid who has received the proper nutrition from birth, been nurtured, and supported by loving parents and teachers.  And look what is possible!   So many kids lack only the nutrition element, and could be so much more.  

That’s one of the primary motivators for staff and board at Second Harvest Food Bank.