Child Hunger Ends Here: How Can You Help?

I’m still shocked when I hear the numbers: 17.2 million children in America are unsure where their next meal will come from.

But then again, it doesn’t seem that shocking when I recall how close my husband and I were to becoming a part of this statistic when he was laid off three years ago.  Were it not for the grace of God and friends and family and the help of public assistance, I’m not sure we would have made it through that year and a half bout with unemployment and temporary jobs.

And the stats became even more personal last night when my husband called to let me know that a family nearby was about to be evicted from their home and “Could he bring over some of their laundry to help them out?“

“And did we have any extra food in our pantry we could share?”  (Oh the beauty of couponing in that moment!)

And even more beautiful…a few hours later, with the generosity of many, their rent was paid in full.

Hunger and uncertainty in these economic times are very real.

I shared with you recently that I am honored to be a part of the ConAgra Foods Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.  This is an opportunity for you and I to take part in an initiative to fight child hunger.  ConAgra Foods has teamed up with Feeding America to work to provide 2.5 million meals with a little help from us.

How can you help?

Well, I’m so glad you asked!

Go grocery shopping! From March through May 2011, you can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands with the push-button pin logo (pictured above).  When you enter your code online, the company will donate one meal to Feeding America – up to 2.5 million meals this during the time period.

Participating brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan. Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on specially marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.

And, of course, since we know how to make our dollars stretch even further, be sure to use my Coupon Database to find coupons so you can score some great deals while you’re at it!  Be sure to sign up for the Ready Set Eat newsletter to access even more ConAgra coupons.

Don’t want to do the grocery shopping thing?  Here’s another idea!

Text to Donate: Simply text “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011.

I’m honored to be asked to be a part of this sponsored partnership with ConAgra Foods since it is so near to my heart.  Over the next couple months, I’ll be sharing more information about the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign and inviting you to take part!