As we start the new year, 1 in 6 kids in the US are living with hunger. That's why we need everybody to share their strengths, so together we can ensure kids have all the meals they need to thrive.
The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, created in partnership with No Kid Hungry, will tap the leadership, expertise and passion of mayors across the political spectrum to end childhood hunger.
Member mayors will share and receive best practices and innovative solutions on ending child hunger in their communities. Mayors across the country will engage in collective advocacy to address child hunger at the state and federal levels.
The inaugural cohort has more than 50 member mayors, including from 30 states and the District of Columbia. On January 13th, the Mayors Alliance launched with an event featuring Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond, Va. (Inaugural Chair), Mayor John Giles, Mesa, Ariz. (Inaugural Vice-Chair), and Billy Shore, executive chair & founder, Share Our Strength. If you were unable to attend, the event recording is available here. You can also listen to an interview with Mayors Stoney and Giles in the Add Passion and Stir Podcast.
“How can we expect our children to be hungry for knowledge if they are plain hungry?” shared Stoney. “Not only do we need to ensure they get a nutritious meal inside of school but also outside of school, and that’s where mayors come to play - bringing people together to solve this issue of childhood hunger.”
For many mayors across the country, this isn’t a new goal.
During the coronavirus pandemic, state, local and national leaders took urgent action to fight childhood hunger - tactics that worked to stave off greater rates of food insecurity despite the severe economic hardships brought on by the pandemic.
“We have seen mayors address child hunger in a variety of creative ways, like advocating for and strengthening nutrition programs, creating innovative public-private partnerships and growing awareness of the systemic connections between poverty, racism and hunger,” said Lisa Davis, senior vice president of the No Kid Hungry campaign.
The Mayors Alliance will be a place for mayors to learn from each other and share best practices in fighting childhood hunger.
“This is one of those issues that is so important that we cannot wait to recreate the wheel in each part of the country,” shared Giles.
We are grateful to the inaugural members of the Mayors Alliance and their efforts to ensure kids have three meals every day. Learn more and get involved here.
1 in 6 kids continue to live with hunger this year. You too can join us so we can end childhood hunger once and for all. One hungry child is too many.
