Being the No Kid Hungry Youth Ambassador for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance this summer was so much more fulfilling than I imagined upon starting in May.
The Alliance is made up of a staff dedicated to increasing access to food and teaching Arkansans how to make healthy food choices. I visited many summer meal sites and met with amazing child nutrition directors, kitchen managers, and cafeteria workers who are extremely passionate about improving the overall relationship between children and the food they consume. In traveling across the state seeing the different summer food service programs, not only did I meet these important people working to make a difference in their communities, I also documented these visits with short clips and interviews that have served as a great way to showcase the various approaches to distributing summer meals for kids, the special reasons why these workers chose this field, and the impact they’ve made on the state as a whole.
[Click HERE to watch Jamee’s clips.]
Along with going on mini road trips throughout Arkansas, I also went to a few Cooking Matters events – cooking classes for single parents, homeless shelters, and the community, as well as grocery store tours emphasizing how to shop for and cook affordable, nutritious meals. I learned quite a bit from the Cooking Matters team and I know a handful of healthy meals I can cook at home now!
The No Kid Hungry campaign is now very near and dear to my heart. As someone who’s been a long-time community activist, influencer, and creative, I’ve truly dedicated my life to using my voice to make a difference. I deeply believe that every child deserves to have their basic needs met, especially access to healthy and nutritious food. I see food insecurity as a social justice issue that affects the most vulnerable members of our society: children.
Spending time with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has been an absolute joy this summer and I’ve gotten to apply my skills, interests, and opinions in an environment that truly made me feel welcomed, appreciated, and valued!
Watch Jamee’s Summer Recap video below and find all her summer videos on our YouTube page.