Tampa Bay’s Nonprofit Aims to Support Children Who Are Food Insecure This Summer From June 8 through September 6, 2022
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Hope Villages of America (HVA) announced today its summer campaign, 90 for 90, where the nonprofit raises funds to help support children in need of food this summer. The campaign begins on June 8 and runs through September 6, 2022.
For some children, summer is a time of fun, playing games and family vacations. For millions of kids who rely on school for regular meals, however, summer can be a time of hunger and anxiety. With family grocery bills rising as well as economic issues related to inflation a strain is put on already-tight budgets.
“We see many families making tough calls to choose between food, utility bills, medical care, and other necessities,” says Kirk Ray Smith, President and CEO of Hope Villages of America. “We are here to help during this summer crunch and make sure that children are supported.”
HVA’s program calls for community support through the following: Donate $.90 a day for 90 days, totaling $81. There are several alternate donations plans if another amount is desired. Additionally, for those who cannot donate financially, the nonprofit is calling for volunteers to support their services with 90 minutes of their time at the HVA Food Bank.
The 90 for 90 campaign also includes a fun community-based program they call Christmas in July, where HVA delivers a food barrel to businesses and other nonprofit locations to decorate and fill with nonperishable items. They host a contest for the best-decorated barrel and those who raise the most pounds of food to support the food insecure in Tampa Bay.
Summer hunger is known to have long-term consequences on children, such as developmental delays, chronic illness, and struggles with mental health. Also, children who struggle with hunger during the summer are more likely to experience what’s known as the summer slide, which means forgetting what they learned during the school year and starting the coming year behind, compared with children who don’t struggle with hunger.
“Your support this will help us make sure no child in Tampa Bay goes hungry this summer. We encourage the community to rally around this initiative and donate or volunteer. Our children will thank you,” concluded Smith.
For more information about 90 for 90, where no child goes hungry this summer, visit https://hopevillagesofamerica.org/90-for-90. If you’d like to volunteer, please email volunteer@hopevillagesofamerica.org.
About Hope Villages of America: Established in 1967, HVA is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that addresses hunger, housing, and abuse in our community. This mission is advanced through three distinct but integrated divisions: Food Distribution & Basic Needs, Housing Stability Services, and Abuse Services. These divisions operate in more than 60,000 square feet of service space and serve more than 150,000 individuals who rely on them annually. For more information, visit hopevillagesofamerica.org or call 727-584-3528.