How does hunger affect children?
In impoverished areas of the state and country, childhood hunger causes emotional, mental and educational problems that often lead to limited social development. In the first three years of a child’s life, hunger can impair cognitive development that may stunt brain growth and formation.
Children at risk of going hungry out of school tend to have more behavioral issues, affecting their productivity in and out of the classroom. These children, often experiencing financial stress, have difficulty socializing and experience fatigue and poor concentration.
What is Secret Meals?
In Alabama, 20% of children live below poverty level. Though these children are often able to collect free or reduced-price meals at school, these programs are not able to fill a gap on weekends.
To reduce the number of hungry children, Alabama Credit Union decided to partner with local food banks and volunteers to discreetly provide healthy weekend meals through the Secret Meals program. The long term benefits of helping children learn better, be healthier, and feel better about themselves are innumerable. Through the partnership with Alabama Credit Union, Secret Meals has expanded from originally helping just one school, to feeding over 1,100 disadvantaged children.
How are C&IS Ambassadors involved?
Our mission is two-fold. With our commitment to Secret Meals as our designated community service project, we are able to sponsor both fundraising events and hands-on volunteering events. Currently, we have helped with efforts to build the Secret Meals cookbook, as well as scheduling volunteer days with the West Alabama Food Bank.
A donation of $120 feeds one child weekly for an entire school year.
If you’re interested in joining us for our community service projects, email [email protected]. We’d love to have your help and company!
In impoverished areas of the state and country, childhood hunger causes emotional, mental and educational problems that often lead to limited social development. In the first three years of a child’s life, hunger can impair cognitive development that may stunt brain growth and formation.
Children at risk of going hungry out of school tend to have more behavioral issues, affecting their productivity in and out of the classroom. These children, often experiencing financial stress, have difficulty socializing and experience fatigue and poor concentration.
What is Secret Meals?
In Alabama, 20% of children live below poverty level. Though these children are often able to collect free or reduced-price meals at school, these programs are not able to fill a gap on weekends.
To reduce the number of hungry children, Alabama Credit Union decided to partner with local food banks and volunteers to discreetly provide healthy weekend meals through the Secret Meals program. The long term benefits of helping children learn better, be healthier, and feel better about themselves are innumerable. Through the partnership with Alabama Credit Union, Secret Meals has expanded from originally helping just one school, to feeding over 1,100 disadvantaged children.
How are C&IS Ambassadors involved?
Our mission is two-fold. With our commitment to Secret Meals as our designated community service project, we are able to sponsor both fundraising events and hands-on volunteering events. Currently, we have helped with efforts to build the Secret Meals cookbook, as well as scheduling volunteer days with the West Alabama Food Bank.
A donation of $120 feeds one child weekly for an entire school year.
If you’re interested in joining us for our community service projects, email [email protected]. We’d love to have your help and company!