The collaboration between Benevolist and Tackle Hunger marks a significant step towards alleviating summer hunger, a period when millions of children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals. The 'Full Bellies, Bright Summers' virtual food drive, running from July 7th to August 31st, leverages technology to simplify the process of donating to food pantries across the U.S. This initiative is crucial as it addresses the increased demand on food charities during summer months, when families face higher food expenses without the support of school meal programs.
Alison Reese, Executive Director of Tackle Hunger, highlights the financial strain on families during summer, noting an additional $300 in monthly food costs. The virtual food drive offers a practical solution by enabling individuals and groups to set up customized donation pages quickly, ensuring that food pantries receive the specific items they need most. This approach not only streamlines the donation process but also ensures that contributions have a direct impact on local communities.
Cari Newton, CEO of Benevolist, emphasizes the community-centric nature of the campaign, stating, 'This is about neighbors helping neighbors.' By utilizing Benevolist's platform, participants can easily organize drives that funnel essential items directly to pantries, bypassing logistical challenges and maximizing efficiency. The partnership underscores the importance of collective action in tackling food insecurity, offering a scalable model that can be replicated across the country to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations during the summer.
The 'Full Bellies, Bright Summers' campaign represents a timely intervention in the fight against hunger, demonstrating how technology and community engagement can be harnessed to address critical social issues. For more information on how to participate, visit www.benevolist.org.
