As we look back at the stories that shaped this year, we wanted to revisit some of the moments we shared earlier and show what is possible when we come together to end childhood hunger. This year, the Arby's Foundation will match your donations up to $200,000 to help us bring more meals and smiles for kids this holiday season and in 2026.
These stories and smiles captured throughout 2025 remind us why this work matters. Your support can bring nourishment, relief and joy to kids and families across the country.
More Fuel for Summer Fun
Summer is the hungriest time of the year for millions of kids and families who rely on schools to receive nutritious meals. This summer, No Kid Hungry supported organizations that provide grab-and-go summer meals in rural communities and Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) programs to help more families feel full and fueled for all the activities summer has to offer.
Jordan Spence, a mom of three in Western New York, said the grab-and-go meals help her and her husband manage demanding work schedules and higher food costs. “I only have a half-hour lunch break, so it's not like I have a lot of time to sit and wait for my kids to finish eating, and then get back to work,” Spence said.
Across the nation in Texas, Kristal, a mom of three, loves the meals provided through Smithville’s summer feeding program. Not only does she cut her grocery bill down by half every two weeks from 600 dollars to 300 dollars, her kids are also fueled for their favorite activities.
Her son Javon is a dedicated football player who dreams of playing for the NFL one day. The nutritious summer meals provided by your donations boost his energy so he can become the best player he can be.
Javon shared, “When I eat the summer meals, it helps me with getting faster, getting stronger, and helping me with a lot of stuff.”
School Meals and More
Caroline County is a close-knit community where neighbors are always looking after each other. However, the community experiences several barriers that leave many kids and families vulnerable to hunger, including a lack of transportation and economic opportunities. Their school district has become a model for school meals programs across the nation in response to filling the community’s nutrition gaps.
No Kid Hungry helps support various school feeding programs in the county including their breakfast in the classroom, after-school backpack program and summer grab-and-go meals. In the summer months alone, the community went from serving an average of 30,000 meals to 108,000 meals which dramatically increased kids’ nourishment and wellbeing.
Beth Brewster, the Food Service Supervisor, said the boots-on-the-ground services in Caroline County would be impossible without the support from donors like you.
“No Kid Hungry has been a great partner for our breakfast in the classroom,” she said. “[They have] provided us with materials to be able to get the information out, the packaging so that we can get it to the classroom safely within the correct temperatures to make sure we don't have foodborne illness, and racks to actually deliver it to the classrooms.”
Supporting Single Moms
The New Moms program in Chicago provides professional development, academic support, and social networks to young mothers so they can build careers while caring for their family. No Kid Hungry supports New Moms because we believe that when single mothers have the proper resources and support, their children will get the meals they need to thrive.
Tatiana Bolton recently completed the 16-week New Moms program and gained management experience with Bright Endeavors, a small business run by New Moms that produces artisanal scented candles. She also received coaching to access childcare, financial assistance, professional attire, and enrollment support for her CNA certification program.
“I want to be able to give him everything he ever wants in life,” Tatiana said about her son, Josiah. “I want him to experience everything and tell his story.”
Supporting Policies That Keep Full Plates for Kids
This year, Congress has continued to debate major changes to federal food programs, including proposals to increase work requirements, reduce grocery benefits and add new layers of administrative red tape. For families already struggling with the rising cost of living, these changes make it even harder to afford nutritious foods.
No Kid Hungry continues to advocate for protecting and strengthening federal nutrition and food programs in the face of these challenges. When kids have consistent access to nutritious food, they experience better health and education outcomes, which helps build a stronger and more resilient America for all of us.
For example, in Ohio, federal nutrition programs have supported Patrick as he works toward earning his electrician’s license so he and his wife can build a more stable future for their children. Resources like grocery benefits help his family stay healthy and financially secure, bringing them closer to achieving the American dream.
Smiles for Miles
Learning about the difference we make in kids’ lives from the kids themselves makes us smile the most.
Randy, a kindergartener in Federalsburg, Maryland, loves math, hide-and-seek and caring for animals. School breakfast helps her stay energized. “If I didn't eat, I wouldn't have much energy. Breakfast and lunch make me strong for recess.”
Giovanni, a third grader in Smithville, Texas, shared his gratitude. “[The people who donate are] very good people... They spend their money so we can live and eat. So I would thank them a lot for it.”
Thank you!
Making transformative change in communities across the United States requires unwavering support. Your contributions have made a difference for millions of kids in 2025. As we prepare for the year ahead, we move forward with the same shared commitment to ending childhood hunger for good.
Our $200,000 matching gift from the Arby’s Foundation is a can’t-miss opportunity. Give now to have your donation doubled, which will help us get more meals to kids facing hunger.
