Welcome to iHeartRadio Communities, a public affairs special focusing on the biggest issues impacting you. This week, here's Ryan Gorman. Thanks so much for joining us here on iHeartRadio Communities. I'm Ryan Gorman, and we have a very special and important show for you. Around this time of the year, there's always an extra focus on the need across the country,
including the issue of food insecurity. One organization working to meet that need year round making sure children here in the US don't go hungry is Share Our Strength, and right now to talk more about the vital mission they're on along with their No Kid Hungry campaign, I'm joined by Elliot Gaskins, acting Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. You can learn more about Share Our Strength
at Shareourstrength dot Org. Elliott, thank you so much for ticket few minutes to come on the show, and let's start with a general overview of the work your organization does and how this all got started.
Sure, and Brian, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak with you and your listeners today. So very much appreciate how you are highlighting people in organizations and the community making a positive difference. I still wish there were many more individuals like you having these conversations. So thank you so much for the opportunity. Was deeply,
deeply grateful. So Share our Strength. Responded nearly forty years ago under the very simple premise that no matter who you are, no matter what station in life, that you have us strength to share. And we found that to be a very powerful thing as we engage the whole host of partners in our work over the last almost
forty years. In that time, it was founded by a brother and sister tandem, Billy and Debbie Shore, who in the early eighties were moved very much by the famine and what they were seeing in Africa in terms of hunger and poverty there, and decided they wanted to create an organization to address those issues here in the United States.
And so out of that spirit and out of that inspiration, basically on the credit card and the basement based under than creative division for what SHRIFF is today an organization committed to ensuring that children demands they need to be successful, whether that is breakfast launch, summer after school, three hundred and fifty five days a year, seven days a week. We want to make sure the kids at the food they need to be successful.
And the growth of this organization over the past forty years, just looking at the numbers, it's been incredible, it has.
Been absolutely incredible. We've going from an organization to that has been serving a handful of hundreds and maybe thousands of kids for an organization that are now serving millions, you know, ensuring that millions of more kids to have access we are helping mails they need to be successful.
And so it's been extraordinary progress in terms of the children that we are helping and families that we are helping, but also progress in terms of the policy change that we can through our advocacy efforts, and so that is also a huge part of what we do. You know, we know that lasting change in this country can happen through the legislation, and so we are very committed to advancing policy chains with lawmakers across the aisle to make sure that the kids have the food that they need.
In addition to that, we are also very committed to ensuring that families have access to all those social benefits programs like snaps, and which SNAP is the one of the most effective ways to be children and families in this country, Yet there are many families whool for many reasons are not accessing that, whether that is through barriers, whether that is not enough information and awareness about programs,
or whether that is new stigma. A huge part of what we do is making sure that theamies are connected to these programs so that we can have what they need.
We're going to focus a lot on your work attempting to end hunger and more specifically the No Kid Hungry campaign. But on that note, when you were just talking about your work and helping families, can you tell us about some of the different programs that you have family economic mobility, food skills, education, and then also something that we've had to see far too often in recent years, disaster relief efforts.
Yeah, appreciate the question, and those are all areas that we focus on, and so one of our core efforts is to try to institute programs that have the opportunity to be long lasting and sustainable. So only the life of a No Kid Hungry campaign was launched in twenty ten, which was our simular all efforts was dress childhoods hungry in this country. We realize that one of the ways that we can do that was to ensure that more
kids had breakfast. We know though that there was a large percentage of kids who are eligible for free, reduced and reduced price lunch that we're also not getting breakfast. And there are many reasons that you might imagine that
that happened. Some they just can't get to school early enough because of the parents' work schedules, for some reasons to be stigma, which there are that kid going up earlier, everyone sees you, and Sigma sigma is a really powerful thing in terms of a barrier for physics and fans.
And so one of the programs we helped implement across the country that has allowed millions of more kids to have breakfast is something called Breakfast Active the Belt, where breakfast is integrated into the school day for kids and so they don't have to show up early. It is integrated in the first period, and it's breakfast that is available to all students. As you might imagine say that doesn't have to practice, it's not ready to want, it's not ready to engage for not ready to be socially
access in your schools. So one of the levers that we person is just a great example that once these programs are implemented, that they can exist in perpetuity in terms of making sure the kids have access to the nails they need. And I would just say, you know, we're talking about hunger, and we're fulfilling the need of addressing hunger in this country. But when you feed the kid, it's so much more than that. When you feed the kid, is unlocks prinkle. It unlocks of possibility, and the unlocks
the ability to change the trajectory of a life. When you feel healthy, when you feel ready to engage in
school and athletics. Are any facts sort of of the world, you know, I would say from my own personal perspective and experience, I grew up in a situation and where we didn't have all the time access to all the things that we needed, and sometimes we needed help with specific programs, and for me, it was access to those programs that allowed me to be a great student, to allow me to be a great athlete, which instact changed
the entire trajectory of my life. And now I have three kicks today or in college for thriving, all because of the foundational pieces that were set And so that's the power of the programs that we're trying to implement. We want to see kids and we want to end the hunger crisis in this country, but we also want to make a generational impact in the life of children.
Let's talk about your disaster relief efforts for a moment. We're joined by Elliot Gaskin's acting Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. You can learn more about Share Our Strength at Shareourstrength dot org, and of course you can find out all about No Kid Hungry at No Kid Hungry dot org. When disaster strikes issues involving food, access to food that can become a real problem in
communities all across the country. No matter the disaster, whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a wildfire, how do you step in and help support those communities in the aftermath of these disasters.
Yeah, you know, our hope at our Strength is no matter the condition, no matter of the circumstance of which children are not having a reliable access to who we want to help mitigate. That is the same for disaster relief, and it goes from whether it is something like Hurricane Katrina where we showed up in a powerful way or
other disasters that happen throughout our country. And so our goal is to go and communities and make sure the local food banks, the local community agency, the resources, the gold, the funds, and the flexibility to feed kids in an environment that is unusual. It's very similar in the way that we showed up over the course of the pandemic.
As you know, school was out for a substantial amount of time for the number of kids, and so we had to be creative and flexible and how we were going to support communities across the country, and so that entail providing fonds, brands and technical assistance to communities to figure out how they conserve you know, how they can set out bus routes in their community so that can be dropped all at the homes. How we can set
up flights and help throughout the community. Work tends to come pick up foods for their children, and.
So all of these things require resources, require support, and and that sort of is sort of the baseline and how we show our whether it's a not natural disaster, whether it's something like the COVID nineteen pandemic. One of the things that we hang our hats on is our ability to be creative, our adapt and be flexible. The search is no matter what the circumstance is.
Those adjustments that you made due to the pandemic, how many of them were permanently incorporated in the way you operate, The lessons learned from all of that, how much of that has been applied to everything you do moving forward.
That's a really good question, and I would say one of the things that we're seeing that realized in an extraordinary way. And so prior to the COVID nineteen pandemic, there were a lot of restrictions around non congregated beating. And what that simply means, you know, in simple terms, is that did prior to the pandemic in most cases to go up the fixed site to get the food
that they needed. And as you might imagine for rural communities, for families that don't have transportation, that is a challenge. And so during the course of the pandemic, a lot of those restrictions, due to a lot of our advocacy and our partners, were losing and so we had a lot more flexibility to reach kids and families where they were and to create opportunities again where we can have delivery oftens or we can have both coming to sites that were maybe even more convenient. One of the ways
is that has some realized post pandemic. It was one of the things that very proper in last year on the Bus Association build there was a provision that allowed a twenty nine billion dollar investments in summer mills for kids across the country. And so this is the work that we're going to be working to implement with our farntments across the country over the next five years. But two key provisions and sort of that, and that bill
allows for non congregates feeding in communities during the summer. Now, if you just take for a rural community where there's no public transportation options, where the families maybe twenty or more miles from a grocery store, giving them the ability, for example, for local organizations to fill up in their communities, in their neighborhoods delivering food, it's going to be a game changer for many kids. And so that is one of the examples of ways that was something that was
implemented during the pandemic. We'll be able to move forward in communities going sor that more families have access to what they need.
And that's key, real quick before we get into the next part. That's key because during the summer, that was when you had a lot of kids who were on these programs during the school year potentially go hungry. They didn't have an option.
Exactly, you're one hundred percent right right, And you know, summer is a time where many folks in this country are thinking about vacations, are dealing with family, are going on a very cool trends. But for many children and families in this country, and it is a time where I don't have I can't rely on school mills, I have to scramble to figure out how to feed my family.
And so what this new appropriation will do is allow all those greatest flexibilities in addition to the non congregate flexibility. What this negative will all do is allow for something called summer EBT, which I don't know if you remember our maybe if you're listeners, you remember during the pandemic there was something called Pandemic EBT which allowed for additional finances for families to support is in very difficult times.
And so then what summer EVT will do is place an additional forty dollars a month in the cocket of families so that they can help supplement the support that they can give their children during those very difficult summer months. And so you feel like this will be a game changer for families. Talk about the ability to engage and enjoy that sort of the full experiences that you can in summer when you have the food that you need, You're able to do that in a really powerful way.
And the way that it will then set you up to be ready for school when it starts in to fall is an incredible thing.
You know.
Our hope over the next five years is that we'll be able to reach more than twenty five million kids with this additional access to summermills, and so it is something that we're very excited about. But it's just an example of how some of those things that we realized during the pandemic can be applied to new things and new opportunities.
I'm Ryan Gorman, joined by Elliot Gaskin's acting Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. You can learn more about that campaign at no Kid Hungry dot org. That's no Kid hungry dot org. Let's talk about the state of the problem here with child hunger in this country, because I think some of the statistics that you're providing on your website are going to be eye opening for a lot of people listening right now.
Yeah, you know this is this could not be a more urgent time for children and families. You know, in many ways, it's extraordinary that over the course of the pandemic, actually food insecurity and sole poverty decreased. We were making prior to the pandemic, through our work and our efforts and through the help of our partners, and even during
the pandemic, we were making tremendous progress. One of the reasons that we were making all this progress is that some of the things that I already mentioned, there were things like the pandemic EBP, there was something like There were things called like the Child TA Credit. They were putting more money. There were there were in free snaps, benefits for families, all programs that helped reduce the level of needs at a time when we needed it the most.
The challenge now is that many of those programs have expired, and so the USDA, for instance, recently released a report that said, now in this country, one in five kids could be facing food and security thirteen that's with a thirteen million kids. Wow, that's the forty four percent jump just a year ago. And so the needs and the crisis is urgent. Uh. In many ways, we call hunger hitting crisis because if you don't, you know, live in a community where you see hunger on a daily basis.
Author styles is not going to school with a kid that is in hungry. You may not think that it exists, but the challenge and the problem is pervasive. And it's not just in rural communities. It's not just an herbal community. Urban community is spread across the country in some pre
profound ways. And in addition to all of that, as you I'm sure you know, running very well, food insecurity disproportionately impacts you know, certain communities, right, some of those stacks by districts for Black Latin Latino houseboats, those numbers are dramatically more in those communities. And so this is a very challenging time its families. Why all work in the work of many OFFUR partners are so ogent.
The amount of meals that your organization has provided since March of twenty twenty two point eight billion billion with a B. I mean that is a lot of meals across this country. That is a lot of mouths to feed. And I think for many people listening, it's going to be surprising that we're in such a difficult position right right now. It was I think more understandable when the pandemic hit and there was all that upheaval in chaos, but I think for a lot of Americans to just
it feels a little bit different now. Things are certainly more expensive and people's budgets are being stretched, and a lot of people are using credit cards for all kinds of different things, including essentials these days. But those numbers that you're showing, and how the food and security issue has gotten worse, that really does tie into and correct me if I'm wrong here. But those programs ending and that may be a part of this issue that many people aren't aware of.
Yeah, that is for sure. Those programs that were implemented or extraordinary again increased snacks endemic EBT to how tax credit, those were dollars that were immediately going into the hands of families and they were able to provide the males was and it was so needed as as as we all remember the cost of the place and then going to the grocery, pointing the astronomical costs that families were facing, and so it was it was so important at that time.
What I would also say is that during that time as well, hunger was in the public consciousness and ways that it hadn't been in a while. Yes, I mean we were all home during the pandemic, and we were saying on television the lines at the food banks. We
were seeing stories of family struggling. And what I think when it really crystallized for a lot of people is they saw how smooth from family some family weren't being in food and live and so one mistake death an additional uh money that you have had to pay on groceries out close. Folks were to that line. And so that is kind of where we lived because the state
of our country. But what is there was a significant amount of private investments and philanthropics support, and so I could give a lot of credit because in addition to those programs like going over the course of the pandemic, we were able to give over one hundred and twenty million dollars for grain in communities and a huge part of that was because of the philanthropic support that we got from a lot of our great corporate, individual and
foundation partners across the country, and so that was a huge part of why we saw sort of that decreased. But you know, we live in a challenging society with a lot of things that want and so once we were removed from the pandemic to some degree, our attention got focused on a lot of other things. And so that is why our work is so important, because it is about the community, mails about the advocacy, but a huge part of our work is driving awareness that Americans
understand how goos down this issue is. And so we use the word relentless a lot of our organizations because we have to be relentless in our messaging so that people understand not only is the depth of this problem, but what I want to always get at and focus to understand is what this means. When you do not see a child from a standpoint of their involvement in society, in the standpoint of their academic achievement and from their just ability to be happy and thriving young people, I
see and long lasting effects. And so a huge part of our work is about explaining that they are more people in this country for sure.
I think you made such a key point just a moment ago. Again, I'm Ryan Gorman, joined by Elliott Gaskin's acting Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign, which you can learn more about and help support at no Kid
Hungry dot org. I talked to so many different organizations helping feed Americans at the height of the pandemic and then afterwards, and many of them were telling me at the time, you know, these are new people who are coming to us. These are people never thought they would need help with food insecurity. But things happen in life, and for many Americans, unfortunately, it's one incident that could throw them into that place where they do need some
kind of help. And I think it's important to point that out because you know this all too well. And this is also why if there are those listening who are in a position right now to help their others, you know, you just never know when it could be you in that position. And I'm sure there were so many people who needed that support over the past couple of years. Were thankful that organizations like yours are around doing the work that you're doing exactly.
And that's the thing, you know, there are so many people who are barely getting by, and these are individuals who are working hard, who may have multiple jobs and are just not making enough. We feel a deep responsibility to help all of those families in this country or in those circumstances, to give them a better opportunity to give their children a better opportunity to experience the fullness and richness of what society has to offer.
So what are some of the different ways that everyone listens and can support the work you're doing at share our strength and specifically the No Kid Hungry campaign.
For sure, I mean obviously always, you know, at the top of the list is financial support, whether it is supporting community mails, whether it's our advocacy efforts, whether it is our education and driving awareness that requires investments, and that is the only way that this work gets accomplished. And so we love for any individuals who are so inspired and moved by this issue to support us in terms of financial donation, and you can go to No Kid Hungry dot org to be able to do that.
I would pull out very specifically that on given Tuesday, the National Day of Given that I'm sure many of your listeners know about those who are interested in making a donation for our No Kid Hungry campaign. That will be an extraordinary way for folks who want to double their impact to give on giving to the and it's easy to make an impact. One dollar can help provide challenge and emails, and so that would be one example
of something that folks can do the piece. As I mentioned, advocacy is always a huge part of our efforts in our in our work, and so as s folks are engaging writing letters to the local where representatives, to the local and national policy makers. When there are things like snaps and other policy programs that can make a difference, those letters, those communications to your representatives will make a huge difference. And the final thing that I would say
is spread the message. There are so many people in the country, for whatever reason, are not aware of the depth of this problem. We talk a lot of the restaurants about building movement. If we are truly to end CHILDHOS hunger in this country, we need more people engaged. We need more people contributing, We need more people sharing our message. We need more people getting involved in advocacy.
The more people that are involved and engage, the better chances that we're going to have to make progress and that it's going to end hunger truly wants.
And then final thing I want to touch on. You have some really great resources on the website No kid hungry dot Org, including for families who are food insecure. You have a way for them to find free meals.
Yeah, there's a free meal finder, so you can go on our website and put your zip code in and find all of the meal site sort of in your community, so real time data, real time updates to find out where to get resources and how to get connected to mails in your community. In addition to that, you know there's educational materials, statistic resources, things that you can share.
You can go to any of our social media platforms on AA, our Instagram at not kied hungry or through our website at not kid hungry dot org to find out more about how you can enged, how you can be informed, and how hopefully you can join us and challenging people to action.
There really is a lot of great information. Again, the website is no kid hungry dot org. That's no kid hungry dot Org. Elliot Gaskins, acting Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the
No Kid Hungry campaign. Elliott, I want to thank you so much for taking some time to come on this show and share all of that really important information with us, and for the work you're doing at your organization helping to deal with this and credible problem of child hunger in this country. We really appreciate it.
And again, Ran, appreciate the platform, appreciate the work you do lifting up organizations and individuals doing incredible work. And thanks for the opportunity.
Of course, anytime, Elliott, and that's going to do it for this edition of iHeartRadio Communities. As we wrap things up, I want offer a big thanks to our guest, and of course to all of you for taking the time to listen to this show. Now. If you want to hear previous episodes of this show, we've had so many great guests in recent weeks, we're on your iHeartRadio app. All you have to do is search for iHeartRadio Communities and you'll find the show there, along with previous episodes
and a whole lot more. I'm your host, Ryan Gorman. I hope all of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday. We'll talk to you again real soon