Important legislation impacts hunger in America
The Farm Bill affects the operation and funding of government nutrition assistance programs including:

• Nutrition programs for women, infants and children (WIC)
• Food Stamp Program (FSP)
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• U.S. Government commodities (CSFP)

Food banks and other agencies provide only a fraction of the relief needed. Without government assistance, many Americans, including 12.4 million children, cannot access the food they need to lead healthy and productive lives.

Take hunger personally and contact your Senators and U.S. Representative to let them know that you support a strong nutrition title in the Farm Bill, and that you urge them to increase benefits and access to Food Stamp Programs.

National Anti-Hunger Organization’s (NAHO) statement on the 2007 Farm Bill Reauthorization

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Heroes
They wouldn’t call themselves Heroes. That’s why we’ve decided to. These eight Sodexo employees exemplify the commitment, dedication and ingenuity it takes to fight hunger. The 2006 Sodexo Heroes of Everyday Life are:

• Maureen Brown, Bloomington, IN
• Mike Bush, Omaha, NE
• John Chirichello, Montclair, NJ
• Jerome Comi, Jersey City, NJ
• Tony DeSanctis, Johnson City, NY
• Jack Martin, Chattanooga, TN
• George Moran, Norwood, MA
• Sanford Terry, Jr., Cincinnati, OH

Learn more about this year's Heroes.

Nominate a Hero, a Sodexo employee who has made a difference in the fight against hunger. Each Hero receives a $5,000 grant for their hunger-related charity.

CHANGE. It starts with ONE person.

Sodexo Executive Chef, George Moran’s philosophy is that ONE person can make a difference. George has spent the last several years preparing and serving more than 7,000 hot meals for low-income people in his community, ONE person at a time.

ONE person can make a difference, it starts with YOU! Search for volunteer opportunities in your local community.

 

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Backpack program
Like many successful projects, the Backpack Program began at the local level and has expanded over time. As the program spread nationwide, including at Sodexo-managed school districts, it was tailored to meet the individual needs of each community.

Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children, particularly for low-income children.  According to America’s Second Harvest, research indicates that even mild undernutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development.

At the end of every week, Sodexo team members fill backpacks with child-friendly, nonperishable food items for students identified by guidance counselors or school administrators as being at risk of hunger. Although an important element of the program is that students remain anonymous, program partners are provided with the number of siblings residing in each home and any specific dietary requirements. This information helps volunteers pack enough food to support not only the student but also his or her siblings over the weekend. On Friday afternoons, the full backpacks are delivered to the school office, where students pick them up.

Recognizing that many students rely on the USDA’s Free and Reduced Price Meal Program as their primary source of nutrition during the school week, a Sodexo manager in Rhode Island began developing a plan to ensure students who were in need also had enough food to sustain them over the weekend.

The program is a close collaboration between Sodexo, the local food bank, and the school district.

 

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Join the fight!
With more than 35 million Americans at risk of hunger each year, it is imperative that you voice your support for combating hunger in America.

ADVOCATE
Hunger is a widespread problem in the United States. However it is a solvable problem requiring a national commitment.

Support legislation including the Farm Bill that will help enhance the lives of hungry Americans by sending a letter to your elected officials. Contact your Senators and U.S. Representative to advocate for hungry Americans.

PASS IT ON
Forward this eZine to others and have them subscribe and join the fight against hunger. Forward To A Friend

VOLUNTEER
Ending hunger depends on the volunteer work of millions of Americans. You can help in your community through activities such as tutoring kids at your local Boys and Girls Club, repackaging donated food for use at food pantries, or transporting food to charitable agencies and the hungry people who use their services. Search for volunteer opportunities in your local community at:

• www.secondharvest.org
• www.volunteermatch.org
• www.servenet.org

Join thousands of Sodexo employees, friends, and family and vendor partners to raise money, donate food and serve meals to those in need during Sodexo Servathon this April.

DONATE ONLINE
Make a tax-deductible donation. It’s easy and safe to donate online by making a credit card donation. Helping 35 million people starts with the generosity of ONE person...YOU. 100% of all donations to the Sodexo Foundation help fight hunger in the United States. 0% is used for administrative costs. Donate now.

Check or Money Order
If you prefer to make your donation by mail please send your check or money order, made payable to Sodexo Foundation, to:

Sodexo Foundation
9801 Washingtonian Blvd.; Suite 1425
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

The Sodexo Foundation does not share donor names or information with other organizations. We do not sell or trade name lists.

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Sodexo Foundation’s Mission
The Sodexo Foundation’s mission is to be a driving and creative force that contributes to a hunger-free nation. In order to pursue our mission of creating a hunger-free nation, we seek to address the root causes of hunger. Therefore, we support initiatives that help break the cycle of poverty such as: Food Delivery and Donations, Job Training, Housing, Education/School Readiness and Scholarships and Public Policy.

Download a PDF of the Sodexo Foundation’s Impact Report

Sodexo Foundation
9801 Washingtonian Blvd.; Suite 1425
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

E-mail: STOPHunger@Sodexofoundation.org
Phone: 800 763 3946 ext. 44848
www.sodexofoundation.org

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