Take a moment to think about a time you were really hungry. While it may be the occasional inconvenience for some of us, for others it is a daily struggle that has no clear resolution, consuming thoughts and zapping productivity until the next meal.
Now imagine you’re a child going home on Friday, not knowing when or what you will get to eat over the weekend. In Minnesota, this is the reality for the more than 200,000 children who struggle with food insecurity, and while many rely on free or reduced-cost lunches during the week, the weekend is a different story.
Our client FFEN has partnered with Step One Foods and the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf to help ensure children have a stable source of food this summer. The program, called KID Pack, is providing 250 White Bear Lake-area children in need with a backpack full of six healthy and nutritious meals each weekend this summer.
They have also created a crowdfunding campaign for the KID Pack program, asking for monetary donations from around the community and beyond. The cost of one KID Pack is $13.50, roughly the same amount as a night at the movies, and the price of an entire summer of weekend meals is $162.
Lilja Communications was honored to help FFEN spread the word. The program has been covered locally by the White Bear Press and regionally by the Pioneer Press. KID Pack is even getting television airtime. Yesterday, WCCO and KSTP visited the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf, where Summer Blast Kids, a group of youth volunteers from local churches, worked together to assemble some of the backpacks.
So far, more than $3,000 has been raised, but they have a long way to go to meet the needs of all 250 kids. Lilja has joined with others in donating to the cause.
Most of us struggle if we have to skip breakfast or forget to bring an afternoon snack to work, but constant food insecurity is a critical problem for many in our community. You can do your part to fight hunger by making a contribution today and spreading the word.
