Schools are back in session in most parts of the United States this week. Today is Friday, and is the last day until Monday. Some children in schools across the United States will eat lunch today and not eat again until Monday when they return to school. Their growing bodies will have empty bellies for two whole days until they get breakfast or lunch at school on Monday. Two whole days.
Unfortunately, for many children in the United States, this is a fact of life. This is especially true in the 205,000 square miles that is the Appalachia region. Appalachia stretches through 13 different states – Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. That is a total of 25 million people.
Some families in this area live on dirt roads and do not have access to water or electricity. Some families don’t have access to grocery stores or hospitals. Some families don’t have cars or community transportation. This means, if they want to get to work or school or to find food for their families, they must walk to their destination.
Some families don’t have access to food for their children on the weekends. These children’s hungry bellies will growl and gnaw until Monday morning at school when they get another meal.
Did you know that some regions of Appalachia have poverty rates over 150% ABOVE the average U.S. poverty rates?
And, while summer is over for most children, have you thought about what those hungry children do while not in school?
I am working with the Monkey Do Project, Appalachian food banks, and other services to help feed hungry kids in the Appalachian area.
Did you know that for the price of one gourmet coffee, a hungry child can eat for an entire weekend?
While hunger is a major concern, the individuals in this area are also in need of basic necessities such as shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, and feminine products.
One of our ongoing projects are Blessing Bags. You can learn more about what items are needed for these and how to help by clicking here.
There are several ways you can get involved, so please don’t sit back and ignore the needs of these children and families.
Sunday, when you are sitting down to a family dinner, complete with a roast and vegetables… there are children in the Appalachia area that have growling tummies.
It doesn’t take much – and help isn’t necessarily a monetary donation! Find out more at Monkey Do Project.
Julia is the divorced mom of twins, a blogger, a sometimes crafter, crazy snailmailer, and a corporate bean counter. In her "spare" time, she scrapbooks, travels, makes cards, blogs, designs jewelry, searches for missing cleats and pom poms, enjoys good dark chocolate, and sneaks naps.