Make a Difference to Children Month: Ways to Support Child Hunger Relief

Make a Difference to Children Month: Ways to Support Child Hunger Relief

July’s long, sun-lit days come with an urgent reminder: America’s kids can’t thrive on empty stomachs. National Make a Difference to Children Month encourages every adult to step up for young people who need a champion, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or meeting basic needs like food security. One of the most effective ways to honor the month is by taking decisive action against child hunger.

Why Child Hunger Demands Attention

Food insecurity is an urgent and ongoing problem. In 2023, nearly 14 million US children — about one in five — lacked reliable access to nutritious meals. Overall, 47 million Americans lived in food-insecure households, the highest figure in a decade. Here in west central Indiana, roughly 20.8% of children — more than 11,000 kids — face food insecurity.

Unequal income, rising grocery prices and the loss of pandemic-era safety nets leave many families choosing between rent and dinner. Rates climb higher in rural counties and some urban districts, reaching nearly 50 percent in the hardest-hit areas.

Summer Makes the Gap Wider

School cafeterias close, leaving children who rely on free or reduced price meals without a consistent daily lunch. Parents stretch budgets even thinner, and local pantries see demand spike. Make a Difference to Children Month lands right when that summer hunger hits hardest, making it a well-timed opportunity to support community-driven solutions.

How You Can Support Child Hunger Relief

Help alleviate child hunger in your community with these impactful strategies:

• Donate funds, not just cans: Food banks stretch every dollar through bulk purchasing — often quadrupling the buying power of individual shoppers.

• Give time where it counts: Food banks, mobile pantries and food pantries all rely on volunteers. Evening or weekend volunteering options make it easy for working adults to help.

• Host a neighborhood food or fund drive: Turn a block party, sports tournament or office challenge into a collection point for kid-friendly staples: peanut butter, whole-grain cereal, shelf-stable milk.

• Advocate for policies that feed kids: Support expanded summer nutrition programs, increased SNAP benefits and universal school meals. Write to legislators. Share credible data on social media.

• Pair food with wraparound care: Mentorship, tutoring and youth centers keep children engaged and help families connect with long-term resources.

How Catholic Charities Terre Haute Fills Empty Plates

A member of Feeding America, Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank supplies more than 85 partner agencies across a seven-county region. Each pallet of produce or protein represents meals that families can rely on when budgets tighten.

Our community programs also include other avenues of hunger relief, including:

• BackPack and Weekend Meal Packs: Bags of single-serve entrées, fruit cups and healthy snacks head home on Fridays so children don’t go hungry before Monday’s bell.

• Bread & Produce Market: Every third Saturday, volunteers distribute fresh fruits, vegetables and pantry staples — no proof of income required.

• Fishes & Loaves Soup Kitchen: Hot, ready-to-eat meals provide immediate relief and foster community.

• Youth-focused Programs: After-school and summer initiatives at the Ryves Youth Center pair nourishment with tutoring, recreation and safe spaces to learn and grow.

Simple Actions to Make a Difference With Catholic Charities Terre Haute This Month

Help us reduce child hunger in west central Indiana by:

• Pledging a monthly gift: A recurring donation to Catholic Charities Terre Haute stabilizes the Foodbank’s supply chain long after July ends.

• Volunteering as a family: Show children how serving others can be a summer tradition.

• Sponsoring a BackPack: Roughly $6 covers a weekend meal pack for one student; corporate teams can underwrite entire programs.

• Sharing stats: Post local food insecurity figures on LinkedIn, community apps or church bulletins to drive awareness and action.

• Doubling your impact: Check whether your employer matches charitable gifts or offers paid volunteer hours.

Looking Ahead: Building Food-Secure Futures

Tackling child hunger isn’t a one-month project; it’s a sustained commitment to equity, health and academic success. Research links reliable nutrition to higher test scores, better attendance and stronger long-term earnings. When you feed a child today, you invest in your community’s tomorrow.

Whether you donate, volunteer or champion policy, your contribution during Make a Difference to Children Month amplifies hope far beyond July.

Ready to act? Donate today or explore our upcoming volunteer opportunities! Together, we can ensure that every child sits down to a nourishing meal — and wakes up ready to chase big dreams.

Here at Catholic Charities Terre Haute, we provide help and create hope by nourishing the minds, bodies, and spirits of children, families, adults, and seniors. By collaborating with community partners, we provide nutritious food, safe shelter, quality youth programming, and essential personal and household needs to our neighbors. Donate today to support meaningful community change!