Behind every smile, there is a story waiting to be told. This year, we witnessed bright smiles all around the country from kids who are getting the meals they need to thrive. But what’s truly behind those smiles?
See the top smiles from 2024 and the stories that inspire us to do our work every day.
Memories that will Last a Lifetime
Ms. Brown and Ms. Ramirez are the most joyful teachers you will ever meet. They both teach the same 3rd grade classroom, Ms. Brown in English and Ms. Ramirez in Spanish. Ever since their school implemented breakfast in the classroom, they have seen the difference it has made on kids’ academic performance.
“It matters that students eat breakfast in the morning”, shared Ms. Ramirez. “Because one, teachers, we can make sure that they're actually eating, especially if we know that they're struggling at home or they don't have the opportunity to have breakfast in the morning. And two, because that helps us so that they can be alert, wide awake and focused.”
The kids are not only ready to learn. They are also full of energy to create cherished memories with their friends and teachers that they love. When kids are not hungry, they are free to be kids.
Rain or Shine Sunshine Smiles in the Summer
Summer is supposed to be a time of joy, where kids enjoy swimming pools and ice cream. Sadly, for many kids, summer is the hungriest time of the year. When schools close for summer break, many of the meals that kids get there disappear. But thanks to your support, we have advocated for rules that allow families to more easily access summer meals. And the families show up! Whether it’s 100 degrees or raining, kids and families show up because these meals make a difference.
But don’t take it from us, take it from 8-year-old Elena who said, “When I eat those meals, I feel good about myself. I feel like I can do anything.”
The Joy of Making It Happen
Ensuring millions of kids have the meals they need, requires many hands. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers, the cafeteria workers, the food bank staff and the leaders that show up every day for kids.
“It's usually the kids that make it worth it,” said Ethan Luce, a youth ambassador serving meals in Jamestown, New York. “Just seeing them grab the meals and then when they say thank you for the meal, it means a lot to them that we gave them something that maybe they didn't have.”
Smiles Across Generations
We work hard so every kid in the US has the meals they need to be the best they can be. But to truly end childhood hunger, we must address its root causes that include low wages and the high cost of food. For this reason, we are partnering with organizations helping families – particularly those helping single moms – achieve financial security. When moms thrive, so do their children.
Talking about how programs helped her kids, Portia Jackson, a mom in Minneapolis said, “I think it will help them to have the ability to be free and actually have the opportunity to do the things they want to do versus me where I was doing things because I had to do them.”
The Smiles of Kids Dreaming
Aya wants to be a marine animal veterinarian, Logan, a tattoo artist and Ja’leo, a football star. School and summer meals are helping kids achieve these dreams. With a full belly, kids can focus, learn and be happy.
Ja’leo said it himself, "Food is the important school supply because it helps our energy, it gives us strength to do the activities in the classroom...After eating the meal, I feel like I have a lot of energy.”
How Far Can They Go? 
Behind the dreams of kids, there are also the hopes of their families. They all want them to do well, to be happy and contribute to the community. The last few years have been challenging for families with the prices of food going up and many of the job wages not keeping up. 1 in 5 kids in the US continue to live with hunger. But with your support, we were able to be there for the families when they needed it the most. We were able to provide that relief, to remove the worry and to allow them to focus on the hopes and dreams of their kids.
So what is fueling those smiles? It is the work of millions of people like you, who have shared their strength whether it’s a donation or working in a school cafeteria. Your contributions matter for the millions of kids who had full bellies this year. Let’s make 2025, the year we move the needle on ending childhood hunger. Together, we can do it.
Ways You Can Help:
Donate: 1 dollar can help provide 10 meals* for kids. Your donations help us support meal programs all over the country and help us advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need. *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
Speak up for kids: 1 in 5 kids in the United States is affected by hunger. Tell your lawmaker to protect SNAP and other federal nutrition programs that feed kids.
