L-R: Academy Award-winning actor and No Kid Hungry spokesperson Jeff Bridges, Governor Jerry Brown; Credit: John Decker for No Kid Hungry
SACRAMENTO – April 28, 2016 – In meetings at the State Capitol yesterday, Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges affirmed a new commitment to end childhood hunger in California, where one in four kids faces hunger. Bridges, a long-time anti-hunger advocate and national spokesperson for the No Kid Hungry campaign, was joined by Billy Shore, Founder and CEO of No Kid Hungry’s parent organization, Share Our Strength.
In conversations with Governor Jerry Brown, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, the pair discussed large-scale solutions needed to end hunger in California, primarily making breakfast part of the school day so it reaches more kids in need. The Governor offered his support, especially for efforts to boost school breakfast participation in the Oakland Unified School District, which has the lowest breakfast participation among all large school districts in the country. Superintendent Torlakson stated the clear connection between nutrition and academic success, and reinforced his long-held stance that breakfast in the classroom counts as instructional time.
Since 2010, No Kid Hungry has been working to end childhood hunger in America by ensuring that every kid has access to healthy food, every day. The campaign is making an impact across the country, recently announcing that one million more kids are now eating school breakfast thanks to No Kid Hungry and its partners. In California, No Kid Hungry is working to make breakfast part of the school day in high-need schools in Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles County and other parts of the state. The campaign is also working to ensure that children get healthy meals when school is out through the federal afterschool and summer meals programs.
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 5 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, are able to get the nutrition they need during the summertime, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.