It’s always humbling for me to be amongst those who are on the frontline of hunger solutions every day. Late last week I got to do that as a panelist at a Feeding America Food Bank Summit, speaking about donor partnerships with food bank staffs from across the country.

Food banks are incredibly efficient warehouse systems that are designed to take in food donations from individuals, government assistance programs, grocery stores and food companies and more. They then provide those donations to the people who need it most.

This is the most basic description of food bank services, but my praise for food bank and the staffs that operate them is anything but basic. When I get to interact with this group of passionate people, I am humbled because they are right there, every day, facing the reality of hunger and finding solutions that work.

I am passionate about the cause, but a step removed from it.

In my job, I invest grant dollars to help food banks increase capacity to serve more people. I reap the benefits of praise, on behalf of ConAgra Foods, when we help a location purchase a new truck or open another after school meal location.

But my inspiration comes from those who go to work each day with the direct mission of helping ensure that people get the most basic of all elements food.

To our food bank friends and partners, thank you for being great partners in the fight against hunger! You inspire me, and I believe you should be an inspiration to many others.

The above post was originally published on April 15, 2010.

Nearly one in four children in America will struggle with hunger this year.

That’s 16.7 million children who aren’t always sure if they’re going to have dinner; who are going to school with empty stomachs and distracted minds; and who aren’t getting the basic nutrition they need to live healthful, active lives.

Our children deserve better. 

As the executive director of the ConAgra Foods Foundation, I’m in the fortunate position of being able to do something to help those children in need. But finding the solutions to end child hunger is not something that any one person or organization can do alone. 

I believe the best solution is to build a community of people who are passionate about ending child hunger. Working together, we will be able to develop and put in place the solutions that will ensure that no child goes hungry.

In the coming weeks, you can expect to hear from me and others who are developing and implementing solutions that will help our children today so that they can have better tomorrows.

If you’re interested in joining this community, take a look at our Get Involved section for some great ideas.

The above post was originally published on April 8, 2010.