The Children’s Hunger Project, Inc. provides weekend meals and fights childhood hunger and malnutrition during the school year. Teachers and school administrators, those on the front line of caring for our children while they are away from their parents during the week, know firsthand of the weekend hunger problem. The teachers know as they wave goodbye on Fridays which students will not have proper nutrition over the weekend. They know which students will arrive Monday morning ill-prepared to learn properly.
About the 5K: VIERA HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT JUST A GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, IT’S A WAY TO HELP FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN IN BREVARD! CO-HOSTED BY THE CHILDREN’S HUNGER PROJECT AND THE SHARING CENTER OF CENTRAL BREVARD WITH HEALTH FIRST AS OUR TITLE SPONSOR, THE EVENT HAS SOME OF THE LOWEST ENTRY FEES AND UNIQUE PRIZES. MARA BELLABY, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF FLORIDA TODAY, WILL SERVE AS THIS EVENT’S HONORARY CHAIR.
Did you know that 62% of teachers know of at least one child that is coming to school hungry? We need to fix this. And we CAN fix this! For your tax-deductible donation, you can join the Race to End Childhood Hunger along with other local businesses, congregations and individuals committed to helping feed children in our community. 100% of proceeds from this event will go to feed hungry children in Brevard!
In Brevard County, the number of children in the free and reduced-price meal program exceeds 50%. Some elementary schools have 80% or more of their kids on the free and reduced-price meal program with many of them at risk of childhood hunger and malnutrition.
When we talk about the risk of childhood hunger we base it on the fact the lunch program available in public schools around the country has been recognized by our government and various charities as the key indicator of hunger risk and poverty in a geographic area.
Childhood hunger leads to a weaker immune system, difficulty in learning and paying attention in class, and behaving properly to retain what they learn. Hungry kids are sick more often and have lower academic achievement.
The time is right to address the local problem of childhood hunger and malnutrition
By addressing this problem, The Children’s Hunger Project, Inc. is responsible for positive results in children including:
- Improved attendance
- Better test scores
- Improved reading skills
- Positive behavior
- Improved health
