Contact: Johanna Elsemore at 202.478.6554 or jelsemore@strength.org
Washington, DC – The national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry has announced seven winners of its 2020 School Breakfast Hero contest. This year’s inspiring line up of champions come from all walks of life, proof that ending childhood hunger takes all of us. Whether they spend their days on the set of a major film or speaking on the statehouse floor, whether they’re preparing gourmet cakes and pies or serving up healthy school meals – each is using a unique talent to make sure kids start the day with a healthy meal.
Breakfast is an energy source for kids, but 1 in 7 kids in America lives with hunger and may start the school day on an empty stomach. Research shows that hunger has long-term ramifications on children, including lower test scores, weaker attendance rates, and a higher risk of hospitalizations and chronic diseases. School breakfast is a critical way to end childhood hunger. No Kid Hungry’s School Breakfast Hero award celebrates individuals who are helping to ensure all kids in America are powered by breakfast by using their voices to build awareness, enact smart policies, raise critical funds and implement breakfast after the bell programs in schools.
Among this year’s breakfast heroes is Mikhail Cherniske, a program specialist at the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Since joining OSPI in 2018 to support implementation of the Washington Kid Ready to Learn Act, Mikhail has been a steadfast champion for the School Breakfast Program and breakfast after the bell. He goes above and beyond to work within his role to meet the federal regulations while also encouraging schools and school districts to implement robust breakfast after the bell models that serve all students.
Mikhail regularly connects schools with the resources and technical assistance they need to implement an effective sustainable, and robust breakfast after the bell program that increases access for all students. Implementing statewide systems change is not an easy feat, yet everyday Mikhail demonstrates his commitment to ensuring all Washington students have access to the nutrition they need to reach their full potential by continuing to be a thoughtful partner and leader.
Accessing traditional cafeteria breakfast service can be challenging for many kids due to transportation delays, stigma and other barriers. Breakfast after the bell allows students to get breakfast after the school day starts in the classroom or from grab and go carts. This makes breakfast convenient and accessible to students, resulting in more kids starting the day ready to learn.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But 1 in 7 kids will face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger through effective programs that provide kids with the food they need. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. Join us at NoKidHungry.org