March’s volunteering opportunity at The Children’s Hunger Project saw Joan Friedman, Susan Suplee, Pat Johns, Marge Jones, Clare Jones and Sylvia Thomas meet up in Cocoa with other Woman’s Club members to pack food parcels for children to take home at weekends. Between us all we packed 1592 parcels in 2 hours!!!!

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.

Brevard County Schools, to their great credit, provide a free breakfast plus a healthy lunch through the program during the week. For some students, though, lunch on Friday is the last regular meal they will receive until the following Monday. The Children’s Hunger Project, Inc. provides weekend meals and fights childhood hunger and malnutrition during the school year.

You can find out how you can volunteer HERE

We had great fun and we’ll be back again in May for some more packing!