It’s been a challenging year for school-aged kids -- not only have they had to adjust to all kinds of ways to go to school, but many have also faced uncertainty when it comes to hunger.
Schools across Southeastern Michigan are teaching children whose families struggle to provide enough food for their kids, and that can impact how they learn.
Luckily, there are a few programs out there looking to help. Gleaners is one such program. They work with several soup kitchens, pantries and distribution centers to provide food for the less fortunate, including working with some local school systems.
They will act, oftentimes, as a mobile grocery store, providing essentials like bread and milk to families in need.
The pandemic has only made matters worse in the past few years, as many more are struggling with job loss, increased medical bills and child care. According to Feeding America, 1 in 5 children in our five-county school system in Southeast Michigan, doesn’t get enough to eat. When kids are hungry or worrying about their next meal, they aren’t able to focus as well in class -- that’s why kids having a proper diet is so important when it comes to learning and succeeding in school, Gleaners said.
Now is a great time to donate to Gleaners, because currently, Weingartz, a local outdoor power equipment company, will match your donations for the Mow Down Hunger Initiative.
Due to this matching, $1 of yours can feed up to six people with nutritious meals. Click or tap here to help out.