There are hungry children in the United States. It’s surprising to some, and it’s painful to think about, but it’s real.
I know, because I’ve seen it. I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Detroit, and my family struggled to make ends meet. I’ve also seen kids facing hunger in Michigan today through my volunteer work for Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters program, where I teach parents how to cook healthy food on a limited budget.
The problem is worse in the summer months. Many kids from low-income families rely on school for lunch and breakfast, and when school is closed for the summer, those meals disappear.
My job today as head chef for the Detroit Lions has shown me how important good nutrition is for kids to make sure they grow up healthy and strong. That’s why what happened last week in Washington matters so much. The Senate Committee on Agriculture passed a bill that will improve the national summer meals program so that it reaches a lot more kids in need..
I was proud to see Republican and Democratic Senators coming together to change kids’ lives for the better. I’m especially proud of Debbie Stabenow, my Senator from Michigan, and the ranking member of the committee. She understands what’s at stake for children – here in Michigan and across the country – and that’s why she took a stand for kids.
The next step is for this bill to go to the full Senate. Under Sen. Stabenow’s leadership, I’m confident that it will happen, and happen soon. Hungry kids can’t wait.
