Mid-Del Schools’ Post

People ask me why I have supported our local food pantry, and this exact story tells my "why". As a parent who recently had a child in college, I can't imagine how hard it must be for kiddos trying to work/learn/ and struggle with food insecurity. Please! Read this article below from Matthew's Crossing Food Bank and if you have any non perishable food items, can you please drop them off at our office so we can get them to the food pantry! Watch the video below of kids at ASU who use this service and see how Matthews Crossing goes to ASU and see the students use the service. DID YOU KNOW.... 26% of ASU students don’t have enough food. You can’t excel or innovate on an empty stomach, when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. Food insecurity in colleges is a national epidemic with over 30% of students experiencing it. Food insecurity is defined by the US Department of Agriculture as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. The overall increase in food insecurity has jumped appreciably since the pandemic AND continues to grow. Last year, the Pitchfork Panty and Matthew's Crossing served an average 300 students at each mobile distribution. Last weekend's distribution, 450 students were served. Combinations of food insecurity and the stress of college contribute to lower GPA scores, lower ability to excel in class and lower attendance and completion rates. Students who do not have appropriate access to food are more likely to report stress and depression. ASU, with the help from Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, has a student lead food pantry to support students with the food they need for a successful college experience. In addition to Pitchfork Pantry, Matthews Crossing supports ASU students with Mobile Distribution and Weekend Backpack programs. https://lnkd.in/gUW7ckT6 For more information on Pitchfork Pantry and the role Matthews Crossing plays in feeding students please take a look at the video above. You can be a part of making students more successful and less stressed about hunger by donating to Matthew’s Crossing. #ASU #MatthewsFoodPantry #AmericanFamily #Donations

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of foodbanks, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

Food insecurity, which the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” is an important public health problem and an underrecognized social determinant of health. It places a substantial burden on our society through health care and social costs. People experiencing food insecurity often consume a nutrient-poor diet, which may contribute to the development of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. People who live in food-insecure households also have difficulties in managing diet-related chronic conditions. For ECU students experiencing food insecurity, the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry is an invaluable resource. #ecu #foodinsecurity #foodpantry #highereducation

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Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Food Insecurity at George Mason University Dear LinkedIn Community, In the heart of George Mason University lies a silent struggle that demands our attention: food insecurity among students. As a vibrant institution committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic student well-being, it's crucial that we address this pressing issue head-on. The Patriot Pantry, a vital resource for students facing food insecurity, remains relatively unknown, while the rate of students grappling with hunger continues to rise. Key Message Strategies: 1. Awareness: Our primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the prevalence of food insecurity on our campus. By raising awareness, we aim to break the stigma surrounding this issue and encourage open dialogue. 2. Accessibility: The Patriot Pantry stands as a beacon of hope for students in need. Through this campaign, we strive to make the pantry more accessible and well-known to those who may benefit from its services. 3. Community Support: We believe that addressing food insecurity is a collective responsibility. By rallying the support of our community, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Call to Action: Join us in our mission to combat food insecurity at George Mason University. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow Patriots. Visit https://lnkd.in/eqZKQEj9 to learn more about the Patriot Pantry and discover how you can get involved. As members of the George Mason University community, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with our peers facing food insecurity. Let's work together to ensure that every student has access to the nourishment they need to thrive academically and personally. Sincerely, Mason Food Security ssac@gmu.edu

Food Insecurity is a significant factor in student absenteeism For the first time in at least 50 years, a majority of U.S. public school students are from low-income families. 51% of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade were eligible for the federal program that provides FREE and REDUCED-PRICE lunches. This lunch program is a rough proxy for poverty but the explosion of needy children in the nation’s classrooms is a recent phenomenon that has been gaining attention among educators, public officials, and social researchers. Even in wealthy Sarasota County, 52% of children were eligible for FREE LUNCHES-an an indicator of food insecurity at home meaning that they don’t have consistent access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. Our Club in partnership with AAll Faiths Food Bank decided that we should help in alleviating this problem. In 2015 our Club/Foundation awarded AFFB a $60,000 five (5) year grant to place food pantries in all Title 1 schools in Sarasota County Schools We also committed to operating these pantries where needed. These school-based pantries are located on the school campus, making them a more readily accessible source of food assistance to families in need. They also try to be open at convenient school times so families can shop when arriving at school to pick up their children. So far, there are thirteen (13) school-based pantries in the program. Seven (7) of these are Title 1 schools. The top three (3) are Emma E Booker Elementary, Altavista Elementary School and Tuttle Elementary with Almost 95%, 92%, and 91% respectively of their students on FREE or REDUCED-PRICE lunches. The school district also provides FREE breakfasts to these schools. The Alta Vista Food Pantry was every other Thursday from 2:30pm-6pm excepting school breaks. We packed out food items for 60 families 2:30-3:30 and distribute from 3:30-6:00. During Holidays, we run Turkey Pantry, that operate like a regular Pantry, plus we would pack 125 Turkeys and Thanksgiving meal kits. #givingchallenge2024 #foodpantry #endinghunger #rotary #rotaryclubofsarasotafoundation #SarasotaCountySchools #allfaithsfoodbank #AltavistaSchool

We're supporting the charity School Food Matters to teach children about healthy food and the wonder of herbs and spices. 🌿 🍵 School Food Matters is an inspiring charity aiming to improve children’s access to healthy, sustainable food during their time at school. Our herbal expert Marion Mackonochie joined a soup and bread-making session at Bread Ahead bakery in Borough Market to talk about the health benefits of herbs and spices. Last week the students put their learnings into practice and served up delicious soup and bread at Borough Market to raise money for charity. This is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of the health benefits of herbs and spices. We are calling on the government to make the following changes: 1. For herbs and spices to be added to the Eatwell Guide. 2. To invest in more research on the health benefits of herbs and spices, to establish how we can best benefit. 3. For the flavour and health benefits of herbs and spices to be taught as part of improved food lessons in school, so we pass on these nutritional benefits to the next generation.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 As September marks Hunger Action Month, Merit Network is shining a light on an often-overlooked aspect of food insecurity: hunger on college campuses. Many students struggle to afford nutritious meals while managing the costs of education. Fortunately, many of our network members are taking action by operating food pantries that serve their campus communities. This Hunger Action Month, we encourage you to support these vital resources. Here's a list of food pantries run by Merit Network's governing members where you can make a difference: 1. University of Michigan: Maize & Blue Cupboard https://lnkd.in/e8QjKZjd 2. Eastern Michigan University: Swoop's Food Pantry https://lnkd.in/ef8g3GW2 3. Central Michigan University: Student Food Pantry https://lnkd.in/euPP5rik 4. Ferris State University: The Bulldog Pantry https://lnkd.in/eMbpKCsB 5. Grand Valley State University: Basic Needs at GVSU https://lnkd.in/e3wcnqDk 6. Michigan State University: MSU Student Food Bank https://foodbank.msu.edu/ 7. Michigan Technological University: Husky Food Access Network https://lnkd.in/e9tChRAx 8. Northern Michigan University: NMU Food Pantry https://lnkd.in/eShhEk45 9. Oakland University: The Golden Grizzlies Pantry https://lnkd.in/e-3sXfMD 10. Wayne State University: The W Food Pantry and Thrift Shop https://lnkd.in/es6cKpuV 11. Western Michigan University: Essential Needs https://lnkd.in/eiRjU_Q6 These campus food pantries provide crucial support to students facing food insecurity. By donating food, funds, or your time, you can help ensure that students have access to nutritious meals, allowing them to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals. Each pantry has its own specific needs and donation guidelines. We encourage you to visit their websites to learn more about how you can best support their efforts. Whether it's through organizing a food drive, making a financial contribution, or volunteering your time, every act of support makes a difference. #𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 #𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 #𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 #𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 #𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 #𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 #𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗡𝗼𝘄 #𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 #𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗢𝗻𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 #𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 #𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Title image source: https://lnkd.in/eJHarKCm

Summer Meals, Summer EBT, etc.-focused #FUNDING OPPORTUNITY - You'll have to move fast because applications are due Friday, April 5, 2024! O Organics Fight Hunger, Serve Hope Grants will provide funding to support work on the following programs: · Summer Meals for children and teens 18 and under · Afterschool Meals for children and teens 18 and under during the school year · Capacity Building of Other Organizations to provide training, technical assistance, and outreach to help start or expand summer or after school meal programs. · Connecting Eligible Families to Summer EBT: Geographic Restrictions: Applications will only be considered for organizations working in counties with Albertsons Companies stores. A full list of stores by county is available - to jump to NJ-based stores, use this link: https://lnkd.in/eCEaWZhM View details and a link to the application: https://lnkd.in/ebJeENiy Check out FAQs on the Food Research & Action Center site: https://lnkd.in/ezzrE-9i

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of food banks/food pantries, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org