Kids and Teens Across America Make Their Mark on Hunger Through Service

Today, the third annual Make Your Mark on Hunger campaign launches nationwide to encourage kids and teens to engage in service that will help alleviate hunger and food insecurity in their communities. The campaign is powered by generationOn, the youth service division of Points of Light, and sponsored by C&S Wholesale Grocers.

With 1 in 6 Americans facing food insecurity in the United States, there are many ways for youth to create service projects that help address the ongoing needs in their community. Make Your Mark on Hunger runs through April 30, with the goal of engaging 15,000 kids and teens nationwide.

generationOn and C&S Wholesale Grocers provided 22 grants ranging from $100 to $250 to support young people who want to get involved. From food drives to gardening projects, creating cookbooks and sustainability events, young people are planning and leading service projects to make a positive impact where it’s needed most.

Project guides, lesson plans, fact sheets and other materials are available for free from generationOn, to support kids and teens as they create service projects to address the issue of hunger. The generationOn “Learn-Act-Reflect” model, which helps kids and teens more deeply understand the importance and impact of their service on the community, not only helps youth plan projects but also provides opportunities for them to become more empathetic and compassionate.

“We know the impact that youth can have on a community, but we also know the impact volunteering can have on the young people who take action,” said Delores Morton, executive director of generationOn. “Learning about an issue area like hunger, mobilizing to make an impact and reflecting on the work they’ve done helps kids and teens become more caring, compassionate and capable. The work benefits the community, but it also has a life-long benefit to youth involved.”

“The future is in the hands of our children and grandchildren, and inspiring them to make a difference for others is so important” said Gina Goff, senior director of community involvement at C&S Wholesale Grocers. “This is our third year of providing support for Make Your Mark on Hunger, and we are looking forward to hearing how the kids volunteered across the country.”

Last year participants donated more than 132,000 pounds of food, fed more than 46,000 people and educated 46,000 community members about food insecurity issues.

Those interested in participating can sign up at www.generationOn.org/hunger, download tools and resources to get started, and share their story for a chance to win grants to continue their work.

About generationOn

generationOn, the youth service division of Points of Light, provides programs and resources that support the development of caring, compassionate and capable kids and teens through service, empowering them to become changemakers in their communities and the world. To learn more, visit www.generationOn.org.

About C&S Wholesale Grocers

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., based in Keene, NH, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 14,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions with over 140,000 different products. To learn more, please visit www.cswg.com.

C&S community involvement programs support initiatives to fight hunger and to promote the health and enrichment of communities that are homes to the company’s employees and facilities. To learn more, please visit http://community.cswg.com.