Five Ways to Involve Your Loved Ones in Ending Hunger

This post is a part of my 2017 ambassadorship for Harvesters, an honor I’m truly grateful for that’s opened my eyes in so many ways. Stay tuned for a sweet giveaway at the bottom of today’s post!

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On a list of things I deeply desire to model and teach my girls, compassion for others is one of them. Hadley is just a couple months away from turning four, and she’s displaying more signs everyday that she’s becoming very receptive of the things she sees and hears. We’re realizing just how teachable she is, so I’m beginning to think about conversations that we’ll eventually have about a slew of society/ “life” issues and how she has the opportunity be a light in this world.

One of those issues is hunger. What a crazy concept to even think about talking with a kid about, right? I’m nearing 30, and I feel like I’m just now starting to open my eyes to the hunger struggles that have likely always been right under my nose. If you ask my husband, he’ll confirm that this is an issue I’ve thought and talked a lot about since my first visit to Harvesters, a large Kansas City food bank, back in June.

Harvesters recently conducted a survey in Kansas and Missouri to better understand perceptions of hunger in our communities. The stats they found blew my mind.

• Nearly two-thirds (62.7%) of Kansans and more than half of Missourians (57.3%) underestimate hunger in our communities.
• Less than half our of neighbors in Kansas and Missouri link hunger to long-term health conditions.

September is Hunger Action Month, and today (September 14th) is actually Hunger Action DAY! All month long, Harvesters has been encouraging the local and surrounding communities to do and give what they can to end hunger.

{Click here for the printable version of this calendar.}

Here are five ways that you can involve your loved ones in ending hunger.

Enjoy fun events together, such as concerts or food truck festivals, while also bringing along canned goods to donate. 

Bringing kids along? Involve them in digging through the pantry to pick out canned goods to bring. Use the opportunity to have an age-appropriate conversation with them about hunger issues and helping others.

More: See ideas listed on September 1st, 2nd, 16th, 28th, and 30th.

Make an event out of volunteering by doing it alongside people you enjoy being with.

The only thing better than giving back to your community is doing it in good company. Whether you’re sorting cans, bagging apples, or cleaning, it’s always more enjoyable alongside those you most enjoy being with. This situation combines two things that are guaranteed to make anyone’s day a good one = good company and the giving of a good heart.

More: See ideas list on September 9th, 11th, 18th, 26th, and 28th.

Pick a fundraising idea and raise money toward ending hunger.

Looking for a way to teach your kids about hunger and empathy for others? Invite them to grab some friends and brainstorm ways to make money that they’ll later donate. Have age-appropriate conversations from start to finish about why this is so important. Also, make sure the fundraiser is enjoyable! Set up a lemonade stand, wash cars, walk neighborhood dogs, etc. Finally, involve them in making the donation, possibly in person so that they see with their own eyes how their hard work is going to pay off for others.

More: See ideas on September 7th, 12th, and 22nd.

Raise awareness by having casual conversations right at home. 

Cook a meal together with your children and chat about what hunger means. Casually talk with your spouse, friends, and family members about if they’ve ever experience a period of hunger or know anyone who has/is.

More: See more ideas on September 8th and 21st.

Share with your family (and older children!) about how they can use  social media in big ways.

There are so many ways that social media can be used to raise awareness about hunger issues. (After all, you possibly found this blog post through social media!) Follow your local food bank’s social media channels to stay informed with opportunities to give back. Share statistics and information with your followers. Look into becoming an ambassador yourself with your local food bank.

More: See more ideas on September 3rd, 6th, 14th, 17th, 19th, 27th.

Giveaway & Fed Up Fest

Is Kansas City nearby? If so, mark your calendar to attend Fed Up Fest in KC’s Crossroads Arts District on Saturday, October 14th from 2:30 – 11 p.m. Fed Up Fest is all about having a good time and supporting a fantastic cause. Too many of our Kansas City neighbors go hungry; let’s join together to end this!

Tickets start at $20 each for seven bands on two stages and a chance to jump in and help make a difference in our community. There will be LIVE MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS, GAMES, VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES, SURPRISES, POP UP TASTINGS, AND SURPRISES!