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Summer Hunger
Summer is one of the most critical times of year for children facing hunger. More than 20 million kids across the U.S. rely on school meals during the academic year—but when school is out, many lose access to the consistent, nourishing food they need to grow, learn, and thrive. That’s why the Feeding America network offers vital food programs and services in communities across the country during the summer.
But we can’t do it alone. Your support by airing these PSAs and helping raise awareness—plays a powerful role in ensuring children get the meals they to thrive. Together, we can make sure no child goes hungry during the summer.
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Real Stories of Hunger: Nicholas
Nicholas is a second-year student in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at The University of Texas at El Paso and is “…looking forward to taking all I’ve learned and giving back to my community through my profession."
But Nicholas' educational journey has had its share of challenges, especially in the early days when he moved away from his parents' home to pursue higher education and found himself experiencing food insecurity.
He connected with El Pasoan’s Fighting Hunger Food Bank, the city's sole food bank and a partner of the Feeding America network. The food bank serves as a vital resource hub, providing not just sustenance but also support for individuals like Nicholas on their educational journeys.
For Nicholas, accepting support from El Pasoan’s Fighting Hunger Food Bank was not just about receiving aid; it was a steppingstone toward fulfilling his dream of becoming an occupational therapist and, more importantly, giving back to his community. |
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Real Stories of Hunger: Jeff
In October 2007, Jeff was finishing up an industrial electrical project that had taken months. He was on the last day – and last step – of the project when, in a fraction of a second, he received an electrical shock that is nearly always fatal. He survived but sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Unable to work, Jeff refused to just sit at home. So, he reached out to a local organization that empowers people who are living with disabilities. Jeff joined a skills class and received extra food from the program, that partners with their local Feeding America network food bank.
“The food I get helps me keep my other food costs affordable, so that way my fixed income can actually ‘fix’ me that month,” Jeff laughs. “But really, when I don’t get as much food from the center, I do notice how tight it is to pay the bills that month.”
Now, Jeff is teaching an electrical skills class at a local jail and is looking forward to what’s next.
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Real Stories of Hunger: Elijah
When 11-year-old Elijah grows up, he already knows he wants to be an engineer. A robotic engineer, specifically. He lives with his grandfather, Robert, and five other siblings in San Antonio, Texas. As the oldest of the bunch, Elijah often helps his grandfather with the other kids and with chores. And when Elijah’s not helping out, he’s busy at school.
When school is out, Elijah stays busy, too. During the summer, he loves swimming, playing basketball and bouncing around on the trampoline with his siblings. Sometimes during the summer, his family picks up free meals nearby their home.
“When I’m hungry, I get tired or I’ll get distracted,” Elijah said. “But when I’m not, I’m on-task and I can focus.”
Elijah eats free breakfast and lunch at school as well. Having consistent meals in the classroom enables him to focus not only on his schoolwork, but on his passion – robotics.
“If I’m full, I’m ready for whatever happens,” he said. |
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Real Stories of Hunger: Tyleeq
During the summer, you’ll probably find 13-year-old Tyleeq outside, playing with his two younger brothers. The boys live with their grandmother, Belinda. As the oldest grandchild in the house, Tyleeq helps his grandmother whenever he can.
When Tyleeq’s not helping his grandmother during the summer, he’s at the local Boys and Girls Club with his brothers, where he eats breakfast and lunch – meals he would normally be eating at school.
“Eating food at the Boys and Girls Club is great,” Tyleeq said. “It means when I get home, I’m not hungry. And when I’m not hungry, I can go outside and play and have fun.”
When school is out, kids like Tyleeq and his brothers, who eat free breakfast and lunch at school, often don’t have access to those meals because filling the gap can be tough for low-income parents. Summer meals programs like the Boys and Girls Club, which works with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, help ensure kids have enough to eat year-round. |
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Irene
Irene has been a Community School Coordinator in San Antonio for the last 24 years. The school, the students – that is where her heart and soul are at. For many of the kids, the biggest challenge is getting food. With the help of their local food bank, the middle school has been able to distribute food most Saturdays for the past 20 years, helping to eliminate the stress and worry about where their next meal will come from. |
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Jackie's Story
Jackie’s Arapaho name is Te3oo Niibeisei, which means Singing Crane Woman. She always introduces herself first in Arapaho, and then in English. For her, the traditional greeting is just one way she’s celebrating, sharing and preserving her heritage–which she’s incredibly proud of.
Growing up, Jackie learned about the importance of food in her culture. As an adult, she has dedicated herself to ensuring her community always has access to food and is working with the Food Bank of Wyoming to set up food pantries for the Arapaho tribes that live on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
While she knows there’s a long way to go, her passion is fueled every day with the knowledge that she’s not just providing sustenance or something to be taken for granted.
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Real Stories of Hunger: Daryl
Daryl, single dad of 10-year-old Tyler and 12-year-old Daryl, lives in Detroit and dedicates every day to making sure his boys have the best life possible. A mechanic by trade, Daryl works at home to help pay the bills. But sometimes it’s a struggle to make ends meet. Daryl has at times gone hungry to make sure his boys ate. When Dayrl does need a little help to get through the tough times, he visits a nearby food pantry.
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The Truth About Hunger,” featuring Shanola Hampton
34 million people, across every county in the United States, experience food insecurity – including more than 9 million children. “The Truth About Hunger” features celebrity activists, Shanola Hampton, reading handwritten letters inspired by real experiences of people facing hunger – to shed light on the issue of hunger in America and invite us all to take action.
Together, we can end hunger. |
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“The Truth About Hunger,” featuring Connie Britton
34 million people, across every county in the United States, experience food insecurity – including more than 9 million children. “The Truth About Hunger” features celebrity activist, Connie Britton, reading handwritten letters inspired by real experiences of people facing hunger – to shed light on the issue of hunger in America and invite us all to take action.
Together, we can end hunger. |
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