Give a Kid a Chance: Empowering Hungry Students through a Food Drive
In today’s world, millions of children face hunger and food insecurity, leaving them unable to reach their full potential in academics and beyond. Here in Emmet County schools, 44% of families qualify for free and reduced lunch. These are families who struggle to afford basic needs like food and shelter, and this means nearly 1 in 2 teens are walking school hallways hungry.
As a caring member of our community, it is our responsibility to extend a helping hand to those in need. One impactful way to make a difference is by hosting a “Give a Kid a Chance Food Drive.” Let’s shine a light on the impact hosting a food drive has for our programs and in our community and guide you through the steps of organizing a successful food drive to support hungry students.
The Challenge of Childhood Hunger
Childhood hunger is an ever-growing concern in our community, adversely affecting children’s physical and cognitive development. A lack of proper nutrition can lead to poor academic performance, behavioral issues, and a decreased ability to concentrate and learn. The stress and anxiety caused by not having enough to eat can have long-lasting effects on a child’s overall well-being. Northmen Den has 15 school-based food pantries with over 350 students depending on us to provide food each week.
At the end of each week, we find our pantry shelves bare! We invite your church, business and service organization to show your big-hearted love and support for hungry children by having a Give a Kid a Chance Food Drive!
How to Host Your Food Drive
- Step 1: Choose a Month to Host Your Food Drive
Contact Give a Kid a Chance Chairperson, Robyn Rakoniewski, at [email protected] or 231-683-1092 to coordinate your dates! - Step 2: Check Out Our List of In-Demand Items
We will provide a list of specific items that are needed based on our current stock and the timing of your food drive. - Step 3: Distribute “Grocery Lists”
We’ll provide you with 100-400 flyers for you to hand out to parishioners, customers and employees. Think about where these flyers will get the most visibility within your organization. The front contains a handy grocery list supporters can take to the store and the back explains the need 1000+ students in our community have for food support and how they can help! Make sure to communicate how you’d like for them to drop off their donations or if you are willing to pick it up from them. If supporters return to your business to drop off donations, not only will you be greatly helping our community students but you may also earn some repeat business when they come back! - Step 4: Set Out Bins and Boxes for Collection
Our volunteers will deliver bins and boxes for you to fill during the month. Putting these in a high traffic area can help bring awareness to your food drive, making it more successful. - Step 5: Thank Your Donors
We tally the amount of food your organization has provided and take a photo so that you can celebrate the generosity of your customers, parish or staff. Let the world know that you helped feed hungry children with heart-felt love and kindness.
Give Hope to our Hungry Kids
Hosting a Give a Kid a Chance Food Drive is not just about providing nourishment to hungry students; it is about giving them hope, support, and the belief that they matter. By coming together as a community, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these children, enabling them to pursue their dreams and aspirations without the burden of hunger holding them back. Host a Give a Kid a Chance Food Drive to ensure every child has a fair chance to thrive and create a brighter future for generations to come.
