One of the best things about my job is hearing from our donors across the country about why the mission of feeding hungry children matters so much to them.
Today I'd like to share a recent letter I received from Grant Tipton. Grant is a chef and the owner of T3 Culinary, located in Antioch, Illinois, where he conducts in-home culinary instruction. He's a strong advocate of locally-sourced products and antibiotic-free, humanely-raised animals, in addition to his incredible commitment to feeding kids.
Grant writes:
I am a middle child of six, raised in southern California. In junior high school I first experienced other children who were not as fortunate as me and my siblings. We were not rich by any means but my mother always packed a well-rounded lunch for us.
I vividly remember there were a few classmates who were not as fortunate. They were on the lunch assistance program, which was a "discounted hot lunch". Then there were some who couldn't even afford that. They usually would not come to the lunchroom or outside lunch area. They would sit by themselves, which I didn't understand until well into adulthood. I hadn't realized that they didn't have lunch and probably breakfast either. This stuck with me over the next 40+ years.
As a cook and food enthusiast I volunteered in the past to cook for food kitchens. However, these efforts were focused around a local community and specific meals such as lunch or dinner; they did not address children specifically or breakfast or afterschool.
Then I was introduced to No Kid Hungry. This is the kind of focus I feel is needed today. Being able to contribute what I can and promote as much as I can - on my social media sites and when doing food presentations - is very satisfying for me. Whenever I have the opportunity to talk food, I talk about supporting local businesses, buying good quality food and No Kid Hungry! I proudly display the No Kid Hungry logo on my chef’s coats that I wear during public presentations.
Bottom line: my monthly contribution is the least I can do and I hope it is making an impact on the children who need it and inspires them to pay it forward when they can.
Thank you and the entire organization! Grant
