This week, the White House hosted a convening of experts to talk about childhood hunger in America and what can be done to solve it. This was a powerful spotlight on a frequently invisible issue and provides key momentum for summer hunger solutions. The following is a statement from Billy Shore, founder and CEO of Share Our Strength.
Childhood hunger in America is a battle that can be won. Victory depends on a blend of critical elements, including: strong commitment from our elected leaders; smart, pragmatic policies; and a willingness to shoulder the work together on behalf of the children who need us.
Share Our Strength commends the White House for today’s powerful focus on childhood hunger and the promotion of proven strategies to reach children with the basic nutrition they need.
Summer is the hungriest time of year for many children in America. At their convening, the White House pointed its spotlight on an efficient, proven way to reach kids with the food they need: the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program. Summer EBT would provided low-income families with school-aged children with additional funds during the summer months to purchase food for their kids. And it works. When tested in communities across the country, Summer EBT reduced very low food insecurity among kids by one third.
These policies have critical bipartisan support. Summer EBT was a key recommendation in the recent bipartisan National Hunger Commission report. We also have seen strong leadership in Congress, particularly in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, which last week passed the “Improving Child Nutrition Integrity & Access Act of 2016.” This bill contains the most important improvements to the summer meals program in 40 years, including Summer EBT.
Momentum is strong, and in 2016 we look forward to continuing our work with Congress to pass a strong CNR bill that improves access to summer meals.
As a nation, we can close the gap between the kids who have enough to eat and those who don’t. Strong leadership and bipartisan policies from Congress and the White House will help to close that gap and will pave the way to a stronger, healthier generation of kids, and a stronger, healthier nation.
To speak to Mr. Shore about childhood hunger in America, contact Christy Felling at cfelling@strength.org or 202.320.4483.
ABOUT BILLY SHORE
Billy Shore has been a leader in the fight against hunger since 1984, when he founded the national anti-hunger nonprofit Share Our Strength. In 2010, Share Our Strength created the No Kid Hungry campaign, which is focused on ending childhood hunger in America. Shore also served as a Congressional appointee to the National Commission on Hunger, a group tasked with finding innovative ways to end hunger in America.
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.