The small people and I held a Lemonade Stand to Fight Child Hunger – this is our first contribution to the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign…. I have to confess, I hoped we would make $25. (which, by the way – would be amazing since $1 = 7 meals so 175 meals) We did it and MY KIDS LEARNED…. I hope this makes you smile: (and maybe inspires you to do something similar)
I commit to fighting child hunger
May 20, 2010 by 6 Comments
My small dude is sick. His temperature soared to 103 last night (and that was under his arm).
And it was after Motrin.
I struggled with that ‘helpless mom’ feeling….should I alternate Motrin and Tylenol?…..does this have anything to do with bonking heads with another little boy at the park? A lukewarm compress? A cool bath? Should I worry that he is hallucinating a little? (he asked how long we had been at the doctor’s office when he was lying on me on the couch)
He’s better now, but that helpless feeling is the worst.
I imagine that is the same kind of helplessness that wraps itself around a mom who can’t feed her child. Since there are 17 million kids right here in the U.S. who are hungry….there are also millions of moms haunted by that very emotion.
I looked in Cooper’s eyes and saw fever. I can’t imagine seeing hunger.
Once you learn something horrible, you cant ‘un-learn’ it. Now that I know one in four kids doesn’t know what their next meal might be…or even IF there is a next meal….I am compelled to do something about it.
For the past 6 weeks, I’ve done videos and written posts about the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign. Because I want to make a difference. Because I think YOU should know 1) that it is a problem and 2) that you can help.
Child Hunger Ends Here is supported by the Con Agra Foods Foundation and directly benefits Feeding America.
The Child Hunger Ends Here campaign asks you to do a few very simple things (to clarify – I think they are simple and you don’t need to do all of them to make a difference)
Fight Child Hunger
- Turn an event you are already hosting/joining into a Neighborhood Rally to combat child hunger. (So, if you are ALREADY having a garage sale, a bake sale, a donate a portion of the proceeds – even 10% would be amazing)
- Register your rally online – you will get a rally kit (a banner, some posters etc.) - and any money donated will stay in your local community.
- Tell someone, anyone that child hunger is a problem. Tell them it effects 17 million kids – kids who are trying to learn, trying to grow.
- Donate One Dollar. Just One. When you give One Dollar – you give SEVEN meals – one child can have lunch every day for an entire week because of YOU.
- Buy any of these Con Agra Brands (Peter Pan, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Manwich, Marie Callendars, Orville Redenbacher, Chef Boyardee) before May 31st and One meal will be donated to Feeding America
I committed to doing a local rally. In fact, I’m doing two of them. The first will be this weekend. (the next will be June 19-20 - a Food Drive at Assumption Church in O’Fallon)
My Neighborhood Rally
- What: A Lemonade Stand
- When: This Saturday, May 22nd. 9am-12pm
- Where: The Turtle Creek Subdivision in O’Fallon, MO – between the 8-9th hole of the Golf Course
- Why a Lemonade Stand: 1) It is important for my children to be involved – a Lemonade stand is easy – even for small people and 2) I want you to know that your rally doesn’t have to be a large scale event bringing in thousands of dollars to make a difference.
I know most of you can’t stop by to see us….but consider spreading the word, would ya?
You can Fight Child Hunger with a dollar or an hour
May 7, 2010 by 2 Comments
I fed my children dinner tonight.
Somewhere there is another mother who didn’t. Not because she didn’t want to….make no mistake, she would rip out a piece of her heart if it would help….but she simply can’t. The food isn’t there. The money to buy the food isn’t there.
The very thought….the pure knowledge – and yes, I do know that this is happening….makes me physically ill.
I’ve given you the numbers….nearly 17 million children in this country are hungry.
Where I live, in Missouri – there are close to 300,000
But, I’m really worried about Tennessee. Before this past weekend, the number of hungry children in the state was more than 310,000. (using numbers below combined with census stats) But now, with the floods? There are how many more people, families, children in need.
More than 600 people were rescued over the weekend. More than 50 schools were damaged. What happens to the kids who’s main meals were coming from school?
Fortunately, there are people who are making child hunger their number one priority. You may have seen me post this recently….I’m working on the ChildHungerEndsHere Campaign benefitting Feeding America.
The idea? To encourage people like you to host a small neighborhood rally – a garage sale, a bake sale, a potluck – and donate a portion (or all) of the proceeds to fight child hunger.
I’m doing a Lemonade Stand with my kids…..I think it is crucial they understand that there are children who do not know where they will get their next meal. I’ve been encouraging people to host a stand of their own – any Saturday (or Sunday) in May.
One dollar provides 7 meals…..so, even $10 makes a HUGE difference.
In addition to the Lemonade Stand, I am organizing a Food Drive at my church, Assumption, in O’Fallon, Missouri, to be held on June 19-20th. Since the church regularly supports St. Vincent DePaul – everything donated will be split between that organization and Child Hunger Ends Here.
Will you join me? Simply go to ChildHungerEndsHere to register your rally. They will send you a rally kit: a banner, some ConAgra Foods Coupons and posters. And when you donate any portion of your proceeds online…..that money STAYS IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
When I last asked for rally suggestions – you gave me some fabulous ideas: children’s festivals, book sales, tricycle races, volleyball tournaments….even growing vegetables in vacant lots.
Thank you so very much for your ideas.
Please send me any pictures you take at your rally – I would love to highlight your efforts to fight child hunger.
Visiting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
April 7, 2010 by 11 Comments
Lemonade Stand Saturdays- rallying to End Childhood Hunger
April 5, 2010 by 69 Comments
EDITED TO ADD: Winner is #34 ‘Katie’~ Thank you to everyone who shared their amazing suggestions!
I’ve been sharing my commitment to end Childhood Hunger. I have partnered with Con Agra Foods and Feeding America to tackle this issue. I have promised to have a local rally to do my part.
I’ve told you about the nearly 17 million kids in the United States who are HUNGRY. I’ve shared the stats (that’s one of every four kids) both nationally and locally – in Missouri – we’re talking about nearly 300-thousand kids.
It makes me sick to my stomach. But you know that.
So the question is….what AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
I’m excited to announce I have two local rallys planned…..one would involve my church and I am waiting on final approval so I will have to share those plans (fingers crossed) at a later date.
But the second idea is close to my heart.
It isn’t news that I think kids should learn how to help others.
Kids Learn to Help Others From YOU
*By seeing you help others
*By actually doing
*By doing often
Naturally, they have to be old enough to grasp the concept – but I think you can start young. (My kids are 3 1/2 and 5 1/2)
Our rally is simple, but powerful.
Lemonade Stand Saturdays in May
- Choose any Saturday in May
- Register your rally online to receive a rally toolkit – including a banner, four posters, coupons to share and a rally guide/information kit
- Gather your kids
- Squeeze some lemons
- Set up a Stand and SELL SOME LEMONADE to End Childhood Hunger
- Donate at least a portion of your proceeds online (this ensures the money you raise STAYS in your community)
I’m thrilled to have some local friends here in St. Louis who are already planning to join me by hosting a Lemonade Stand in their neighborhood. I’ll share dates as soon as I have them.
If you decide to rally with us, choose your date, post a comment. I want to let people know what you are doing and when.
When you set up your stand, take a picture and email it to me – danielle (at) ExtraordinaryMommy.com. I will post all pictures you share – I can’t wait to highlight your rally.
Since we’re talking about neighborhood rallys, the official launch of this campaign will take place this week in one of the most notorious TV neighborhoods around: Wisteria Lane.
Yes….with the help of Desperate Housewives’ Dana Delaney, the campaign to End Childhood Hunger takes off this week. I’ll be in LA on Wisteria Lane for the launch and am thrilled we will also be heading to a local food bank in Los Angeles.
I can’t wait to share video and pictures.
As a bit of additional incentive (I’m hoping you’ll host your own rally – and remember it doesn’t have to be a lemonade stand!!), I am excited to be giving away a Con Agra Foods Gift Basket filled with coupons, a reusable grocery bag, Desperate Housewives on DVD and other goodies.
Entering is SIMPLE: Suggest an idea for a rally and you will be entered to win. (it doesn’t have to be complicated and YOU will be inspiring others with your suggestions!) You have until April 26th to enter. Winner will be chosen at random.
ExtraordinaryMommy.com is not responsible for prizes that are shipped from outside vendors or sponsors. All entries will be pooled together and one (1) winner will be drawn. The winner will have two calendar days to reply via email. Unclaimed prizes will be placed for availability to newly chosen winners after that time. Giveaway is open to all U.S. residents only, must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per person, entries accepted through April 26, 2010 ending at exactly 11:59 CDT ExtraordinaryMommy.com was chosen to participate in the Childhood Hunger Ends Here Campaign. We are receiving a stipend for participation, though opinions expressed in related posts are ours and ours alone and can not be influenced in any way.
