USDA issued its new hunger statistics today and announced that half a million more children - a total of 17.2 million children - are facing hunger than before. 

There are many ways each of us can combat child hunger. ConAgra Foods Foundation is doing its part by funding Feeding America’s Hunger-Free Summer program.

This past summer, singer and actress Katharine McPhee visited the New Image Youth Center in Orlando, Fla., to help bring attention to the issue and the solutions. 

Hunger-Free Summer: What do you tell the kids?
Author: Stephanie Childs, ConAgra Foods Foundation

This summer, I had the good fortune to work with Katharine McPhee. She joined the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America to bring attention to our Hunger-Free Summer initiative.  

Throughout the tour, she would regularly explain that she was volunteering at Hunger-Free Summer locations across the nation in order to lend her voice to the efforts to fight hunger and to bring some sunshine into the day for children who rely on summer food programs like those supported by our Hunger-Free Summer grant.

During one interview, a reporter asked her what she tells the kids about why she’s visiting. Katharine’s response? She doesn’t tell them much.

Katharine’s focus was on having fun with the kids and brightening their days. When it came to explaining the issue of child hunger, she was talking to the adults who need to know that there are resources for families in need and facing hunger.

Katharine is right. As we’re finding solutions to end child hunger in America, our work isn’t about telling kids in need that they are in need or to point out that their families struggle to pay the bills and put meals on the table. Our responsibility is to do what we can to provide children with the meals, resources and skills they need to become successful.

Summer is coming to a close, but our work to ensure that children have access to nutritious meals all year isn’t done. In fact, we’re already beginning to plan for next year’s Hunger-Free Summer to make it even more successful.

If you work with a food bank or a children’s summer food program in your community, mark your calendars now. In February 2011, Feeding America will begin its selection process for next year’s Hunger-Free Summer grant recipients. 

Working together, we can make sure more kids have a fun-filled Hunger-Free Summer.

Photo Credit: ConAgra Foods Foundation. In the above photo, Katharine McPhee plays with kids who rely on the services provided by the Arkansas Foodbank Network. Arkansas Foodbank Network was one of 23 Hunger-Free Summer grant recipients.

The Houston Chronicle featured Katharine McPhee’s visit to LINC Houston, including a video of her singing a song she wrote with the children. She also served lunch as part of her final stop on the Hunger-Free Summer tour.

Today Katharine McPhee wrapped up the Hunger-Free Summer initiative by volunteering at LINC Houston, one of Houston Food Bank’s summer food locations, where she sang with the children and served lunch. This summer, Katharine also visited Orlando, Irvine and Little Rock hoping to bring attention to the 17 million children who face hunger during the summer months.

With 17 million children facing an increased risk of hunger when school is out, Katharine talks with Greta Van Susteren about her support for ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America’s “Hunger-Free Summer” initiative.

Unbroken and Resilient
A guest post from entertainer Katharine McPhee

As I wrote songs for my album “Unbroken,” what came out were tales of resilience… people who are bowed – but not broken – by the experiences and trials life throws at them.  Now, a new project is allowing me to meet many of these real unbroken souls in person.  I’m amazed by their spirit and touched by their stories.

I have been a part of the Feeding America Entertainment Council for more than a year now.  When I learned that childhood hunger was such a critical problem right here in the United States, I knew I wanted to help.  Then, when I found out that 17 million children struggle with hunger during the summer when school is out, I knew I had to help now.

I am honored to be working with the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America to launch the Hunger-Free Summer initiative.  One of the goals of Hunger-Free Summer is to help ensure that kids at risk of hunger have access to nutritious meals year round. So, while school may be out for summer, lunch is always in session.

This summer I am traveling across the country to Feeding America food banks from Orlando to Los Angeles. I’m volunteering my time and doing my best to bring more attention to fact that there are children in need. Last week, I visited New Image Youth Center in Orlando, Fla.  New Image is a summer feeding location supported by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which received a Hunger-Free Summer grant to support summer food locations in Orlando.  I helped serve lunch and even wrote a song with the kids.  I enjoyed spending time with the kids and was amazed to realize how much good can come from a kind word and a nutritious meal. This is something every child deserves.

Yesterday, I visited Irvine, Calif. (just outside my hometown of Los Angeles!) and tomorrow I’ll visit Little Rock, Ark.  I can’t wait to share more photos and stories as my journey continues. More importantly, I can’t wait to hear how you’re getting involved in the fight against child hunger.