How Kids Can Volunteer to Help Those Who Need Food

did you know that one in four people in the world do not receive meals with the proper nutrients to live a healthy active life? this is very unfortunate. i am so thankful that my husband and i are able to provide nutritious food to my kids, and teach them to appreciate the good food they have. for them to know that they don't have to worry about going hungry is very important to me. i want them to know that others aren't as fortunate as them, and for them to want to help others in need. that is why i have partnered with Knorr®, a brand that believes nutritious food should be within everyone’s reach.

in honor of World Food Day on October 16th, i wanted to share some ways we, along with our children, can help people in our community and around the world receive the nutritious food they need. these are great ways we can teach our children compassion for others and appreciation for what they have.

Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen

there are soup kitchens in almost every community. Orange County has one in almost every major city. i try to take my older boys every year to help out. most of them require you to be 13 or older, so make sure that you verify how old the kids need to be. also, there are usually rules about what kind of clothing and footwear you must wear due to regulations, so make sure you know before you head down to help. there are also places that will let you help deliver the meals to the elderly or disabled. this is a great option if you have younger children who want to help.

Here are a list of Orange County Soup Kitchens/Food Services where kids can volunteer:

• Orange County Rescue Mission (Tustin)
• Andrews Episcopal Church (Fullerton)
• Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen (Orange)
• Someone Cares Soup Kitchen (Costa Mesa)
• We Care (Los Alamitos)
• Meals On Wheels Orange County
• Ronald McDonald House (Orange)

Making "We Care Kits" for People in Need

this is a great activity for all ages. you can go shopping with the kids to purchase the items to make a "We Care Kit" to give to anyone you encounter that could use one. you will want to include some nutritious food items that don't spoil for a while, along with some other essentials.

here is a list of items that are best to include:

• applesauce
• pudding cups
• trail mix
• beef jerky
• baby wipes
• lip balm
• lotion
• sunscreen
• travel coffee mugs
• gift cards
• socks
• band aids

try not to include items such as:

• soap, hand sanitizer or mouthwash – smelly soaps and lotions in the same container as food can make everything taste and smell like soap.
• crunchy granola bars, candy or sticky food – soft snacks are a safer bet over sticky and crunchy snacks, in case the recipient doesn’t have regular access to dental care.
• cash, used items, shampoo or religious literature.

when you deliver the kits, do not go alone. it is also best to have an adult pass them out.

Donate Food to a Local Food Bank

have your children gather canned and non-perishable food to donate to a local food bank. they can also ask friends, family and neighbors to donate. some food banks will let the children stock shelves or sort the food they bring in. during the holidays especially, many organizations will collect food. children may also want to use some of their own money that they've earned to buy cans of food. make sure that you only bring in food that is not expired.

Here are some local Orange County food pantries you can donate to:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County (Irvine)
• Orange County Food Bank (Garden Grove)
• Friendly Center (Orange)
• South County Outreach (Irvine)
• Laguna Food Pantry (Laguna Beach)
• You are Special Food Pantry (Orange)

Tweet a Food Emoji to #ShareAMeal

now this is an easy one! remember i mentioned that Knorr® is a brand that believes nutritious food should be within everyone’s reach? Well, Knorr U.S. is helping to provide $20,000 (which equals 220,000 meals) to Feeding America® in recognition of World Food Day! just $1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.

How to Join the Cause

just TWEET #ShareAMeal AND a food emoji between October 13th – 20th, 2016. you will then receive a link to PayPal to give $5 or any amount of your choice to the Global FoodBanking Network, which will be allocated to benefit local and global charities.

i am so grateful for opportunities like these where i can teach my children the gift of giving. everyone deserves to have healthy and nutritious food, and i hope that we can all do our part to make sure those around us aren't without. doing so will leave you with a warm heart and a desire to help again and again. don't forget to tweet #ShareAMeal and your favorite food emoji!!!!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Knorr®.

Legal disclaimer: Knorr US will donate $20,000 (which equal 220,000 meals) to Feeding America.  Help us donate more to local and global charities.  Tweet #shareameal and a food emoji between October 13 – 20, 2016 and receive a link to PayPal to give $5 or an amount of your choice to Global FoodBanking Network, which will be allocated to benefit local and global charities. See http://bit.ly/2dAz5rD for more details.

*FAO, IFAD and WFP. 2014. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014. Strengthening the enabling environment for food security and nutrition. Rome, FAO. Page 51, Note 6.