Teens Fighting Hunger

Vital Stats

Amy C

Lake Oswego, OR

people helped56000
People Doing It 200

The Problem

There are more than 13 million food insecure children in the United States, according to the USDA. This means that in what is arguably the wealthiest country in the world, 1 in 6 children is hungry every month. By February each year, most food banks experience significant food shortages. Hunger is an income issue and afflicts working families, not just the homeless or jobless. Hunger does not discriminate based upon age, race, ethnicity, or one's neighborhood. Most adults who receive emergency food are working, retired or disabled. And two-parent families make up the largest group of those receiving emergency food. In 2008, food banks experienced a 30% annual increase in the number of people needing food assistance, the majority being middle class families. Hunger and malnutrition impair children's health, growth and development causing an even greater drain on the healthcare system. According to a study by Sodexho Foundation, a charity focused on hunger, in 2005, the latest year of the study, mental and physical illness related to malnutrition (e.g., anemia and depression), cost the U.S government ~$66.8 billion in medical care each year. Poor eating habits lead not only to issues of being underweight, but also to obesity. While it may seem counter-intuitive, studies show a correlation between hunger/malnutrition and obesity. Hunger not only affects children physically but mentally and socially as well. Hunger impedes children's ability to perform academically due to impaired cognitive functioning and diminished capacity to learn. With lower test scores and overall school performance, hungry children are more likely to experience higher rates of school absences, tardiness, and suspension. Thus, our public education system is further strained. Hunger predisposes our children to behavioral difficulties, including more aggressive behavior, higher levels of hyperactivity, anxiety and/or passivity, and difficulty getting along with other children which in turn causes drains on both the American education system and our already strained healthcare services. Given today's difficult economic climate, childhood hunger in America is only getting worse. There are countless teenagers with time, creative skills and talents, and an interest in community service who can be a great force for change to combat domestic hunger.

Plan of Action

During my freshman year of high school, I uncovered some disturbing statistics about the plight of hungry people throughout the world. I was shocked to find that in the U.S., arguably the wealthiest country in the world, there were 13 million children who were hungry through no fault of their own. I was so appalled by these statistics that I wanted to do something about it. At the same time, I had been making earrings for a few years and started to receive many compliments and was encouraged to start selling them. Rather than keep the money for myself, I wanted to help the millions of children who couldn't help themselves and decided to turn my earring-making hobby into a charitable organization. Further, I believed that I could make a bigger impact on the hunger problem if I harnessed the creativity and energy of other socially conscious teenagers. My parents agreed to help me if I would approach this endeavor with true dedication, commitment and accountability, and as if it were a serious charitable business. I wrote a business plan and, based on that plan, enlisted the aid of both an attorney and CPA (on a pro bono basis) and filed for incorporation and then 501 (c)(3) status. I sponsored work parties in my home in order to create a broader product line beyond the earrings I make, and get more teens involved. We began selling at Farmers' Markets in the summer of 2007. In order to gain exposure to our organization and cause, we launched a web site in the fall of 2007 (www.teensfightinghunger.org). We added the first iteration of an online store in the fall of 2008. Online sales were robust during the holiday season and we would like to expand both its capability (e.g., credit card processing) and product line (e.g., enable teens from around the country to sell their hand-made products). We believe that the Internet enables the most efficient means of expansion for Teens Fighting Hunger as it allows us to reach customers and involve teenagers throughout the country. Teens Fighting Hunger exceeded its goals in both calendar year 2007 and 2008 in terms of fund-raising, teen involvement and education. We've worked with the Oregon Food Bank and for every $10 we raise, we are able to fund the collection and distribution of food to a family of four for 3-5 days. To date, we've raised more than $36,000 - enough to feed more than 56,000 children. We've donated $25,000 to the Oregon Food Bank and will give nearly $4000 to a local Food Pantry in the next month. More than 200 teens have been actively involved in Teens Fighting Hunger to date. Furthermore, we have educated thousands of people, making them aware of the problem and how they can make a difference in the world.