When I think back on summers as a kid, I remember the simple joys: riding bikes, exploring the woods, playing kickball, and, my favorite summer activity, swimming. Oh, the hours I spent in the water with my friends! We would head to our neighborhood pool every morning after breakfast and stay until they closed for a lunch break at noon. Then, we would clamor out of the pool with our wrinkly toes and fingers and dash home to a big lunch of turkey, tomato, or tuna fish sandwiches, fresh veggies, chips, and watermelon. Ice-cold lemonade washed it all down. On truly lucky days, there was homemade ice cream. Our moms always made sure there was plenty of food to fuel us for the rest of the afternoon because, of course, we were headed right back to the pool.
For summer to be fun and worry-free, kids have to be well-fed and healthy.”
-Beth McKee, president and founder, Swamp Sistas La La Foundation
I hope that you have memories like mine- joyful days of carefree play and fun. I never had to worry that there wasn’t enough food in the pantry to provide those abundant meals that kept me fueled throughout the summer. Unfortunately, today there are many kids in our community—one in five— who do have to worry about it. Left without meal programs they depend on during the school year, parents will face difficult choices about how to spend money. Did you know that even food prepared at home costs 10% more than last summer? Hunger pangs obliterate any joy kids may get from swimming, running, jumping, and playing because they don’t have the energy. For summer to be fun and worry-free, kids have to be well-fed and healthy. Together, we need to help.
The Swamp Sistas and friends rally to help Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provide meals for kids facing hunger every year. We’re focused on helping fill the hunger gap that summer brings to families in Central Florida. Making a difference in children’s physical and emotional well-being is a huge deal and a commitment toward the future, for all of us. After all, today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders and we want them to have a worry-free, hunger-free summer.
Making folks aware of the child hunger problem is essential and this year, our objective is to engage as many people as possible in this worthy mission. Instead of a dollar amount goal, we’re focusing on an increased number of donors and we’re hoping to reach 200. We invite you to join our growing, giving, nurturing community by donating to, and sharing our La La Hunger-Free Summer campaign.
Let’s help Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals to thousands of kids in our community. Donations can be made at www.lalasummerhope.com or on Facebook or Instagram.
submitted by Beth McKee, with help from Jeannine Gage
Swamp Sistas La La Foundation
Swamp Sistas La La Foundation 501(c)3 is a rapidly expanding grassroots movement, dedicated to community service and supporting women in the arts.
You can help kids have a hunger-free summer.
Your gift today will provide twice as many meals.
