BLAIR DOWLER
Feeding the Mind, Body and Soul
Many families across the Mountain State struggle with hunger and lack the means to get the food they need. According to the West Virginia Department of Education( WVDE), nearly one in four West Virginia children does not have sufficient access to food.
The hunger and malnutrition of the state’ s youth is a detrimental problem, but these issues also hinder other areas of growth, including emotional and physical development, education and the downward spiral of communities. Feed to Achieve, an initiative to end childhood hunger in West Virginia, and the Summer Intergenerational Community Strong Initiative are working to ensure these basic needs are met so children can lead vibrant and productive lives.
Taking the Initiative
When Senator John Unger spoke to a third-grade class at Berkeley Heights Elementary School in Martinsburg, WV, about his role as a senator, the issue of widespread childhood hunger in West Virginia came to the forefront of his interaction with the students.
Unger asked each student to imagine they had become a state senator for the day so they could pass a new law in their school. When asked what they would change about their school, two ideas were presented: longer recess and extra lunch.
“ We had two bills. I told them they could only vote for one, but first we had to have a discussion,” says Unger.“ A little boy raised his hand, and I said,‘ Senator, stand up and tell the other senators which bill you’ re going to support.’ He said he was going to support extra lunch. I asked him to tell the other senators why he was going to support that bill, and he said,‘ I’ m going to support the extra lunch, that way I can eat an extra lunch, and when I go home, I won’ t eat Mommy and Daddy’ s food, and my brother will have something to eat tonight.’”
Unger was completely floored by the response. When he asked the class if anyone else was in the same situation, a majority of the students raised their hands, and the idea for West Virginia Feed to Achieve was born.
Unger quickly went to work on this issue, partnering with the WVDE Office of Child Nutrition to enact Feed to Achieve at the state level. The initiative acknowledges the fact that children need nutritious meals to lead successful lives but many are only receiving these types of meals at school.
“ We do a lot of education reform every year,” says Unger.“ We want to make sure we have the best schools, curriculum, technology and teachers in the classroom, but if a child is hungry or not sure what they are going to face when they get home, they are not going to retain that information. Part of learning is making sure your body has the proper nutrition.”
Bringing a Community Together
Unger, who serves as a pastor in Harpers Ferry, has developed a spinoff of West Virginia Feed to Achieve in the Eastern Panhandle called the Feed to Achieve Summer Intergenerational Community Strong Initiative.
“ There are summer feeding programs all over the state, so that’ s not what makes us unique,” he says.“ In Jefferson County, we partnered with the Council on Aging to create a joint feeding program where we bring senior citizens and children together. Children need a caring adult and someone to work with them during the summer, and some senior citizens experience loneliness and need a purpose. Through the summer feeding program, we have been able to give them an opportunity to serve the children in their community.”
During the daily summer program, which was held in several locations around Jefferson County, volunteers and participants received a free nutritious lunch and snack, which were prepared to USDA standards by the Council on Aging. The senior citizens and children also did fun, educational activities like learning about beekeeping or gardening and reading books to expand their minds.
Marti Steiner, an active member of St. John’ s Episcopal Church in Harpers Ferry, became involved with the program this past summer. After hearing about the program from Unger, she was inspired to get involved while also encouraging the church’ s ecumenical youth group to take part. Members of the group served as volunteers, distributing meals and putting together fun activities.
“ This is a great opportunity to get this intergenerational group together, and it is an excellent community-building exercise,” says Steiner.“ Kids do not always live near or actually have grandparents, so this gives the chance to build a relationship with another generation. It is such a heartwarming experience for all involved. Food for the body. Food for the soul.”
Creating Change
The Summer Intergenerational Community Strong Initiative is a holistic effort when it comes to community building,
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE