What does summer mean for kids? For many children, it means freedom, adventure, and fun. But for those families experiencing food insecurity, summer can mean less access to the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive.
“It helps my piece of mind. It helps me know that they are getting a variety of foods. Because having them eat different types of foods will help them become good eaters in their life.” – Sarah, Food Bank Guest
More than 250,000 children in Western Washington receive free and reduced meals at school. But when the cafeteria closes for the summer, families lose these critical meals. Research shows that an average family’s food budget increases by as much as $400 – $500 per month.
Providing food to these families during the summer month is critical. But it’s just one step on the path to ending hunger.
Food Lifeline is committed to addressing the “root causes” of hunger. These include poverty, racial inequity, and social injustice. This summer, we’d like you to join us on a journey. A journey to ensure that families across Western Washington have the foods they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
This summer, we’d like you to think about the challenges that face the most vulnerable members of our communities. While one in five families in the region is experiencing food insecurity, that number doubles for people of color,
“I’m just trying to live life. And it’s hard sometimes. But I have my family, and I have the people here at the food bank that care about me and everyone else who comes here.” – Cheryl, Food Bank Guest
Indigenous communities, migrants, and refugees. With your help, we can change that.
We believe food is a human right, but there are still far too many barriers that keep families from accessing the foods they need. With your help, we can remove these barriers by working directly with the communities that face
these challenges. We can help them expand access to food, listen to their voices, and support their local solutions.
We believe these are the real answers to ending hunger.
Please join us this summer by donating, volunteering, and raising your voice in support of your neighbors. With your help, we can show the world that hunger doesn’t have to happen.
Our corporate partners are teaming up in June to help us Root Out Hunger. These campaigns will help keep the shelves stocked at more than 400 food banks and food distribution locations across Western Washington.
“Sometimes we are living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes we pay all of the bills and end up not having enough money for food.” – Maria, Food Bank Guest
Beginning in June, you can lend a hand two ways:
“Playing What You Want, So They Can Eat What They Need.”
Our Friends at Jack FM are hosting this fundraiser with the help of Sound Community Bank and FOX 13 TV. For every donation made during this campaign, Jack FM will play your song request on the air! Sound Community Bank will also match each and every donation up to $25,000
Learn more here.
“Tackle Hunger”
The staff of KOMO TV is also helping Root Out Summer Hunger by hosting its Tackle Hunger fundraiser. Join KOMO TV viewers and station advertisers in a gridiron challenge to end summer hunger.
Learn more here.
When you join Food Lifeline in our campaign to Root Out Hunger this summer, you are joining a movement to end hunger. You are helping to provide important and lasting solutions. You’re on a team that is creating dynamic partnerships in the community that will transform the current food system into one that values local solutions, sustainability, equity, and public health.
