Richmond, VA – Islamic Relief USA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to help end childhood hunger in Virginia. The grant is expected to benefit some 45,153 children.
No Kid Hungry is a national anti-hunger campaign designed to make sure all children are able to get the nutrition they need to grow up strong. In Virginia, the campaign is focused on making sure more children have access to federal nutrition programs including breakfast, summer meals and afterschool meal programs. This campaign is currently active across the state, including more than twenty school divisions in the Southwest Virginia area.
“Several studies over the years have shown strong correlations between eating healthfully and academic performance,” said Anwar Khan, President of Islamic Relief USA. “We want to make sure children, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, enjoy the same access to high quality food as their peers. Every child is precious.”
“When kids get the food they need, they grow up smarter, healthier and stronger,” said Duke Storen, senior director of research, advocacy and partner development at Share Our Strength. “And that means a smarter, healthier, stronger Virginia.”
Of the $100,000, $60,000 will go to the Southwest Regional Associate, $20,000 toward afterschool grants, $15,000 toward breakfast grants, and $5,000 toward summer grants. The grants will help provide technical support, raise awareness, and strengthen partnerships.
There are five counties in Southwest Virginia where there are high rates of child food insecurity. They are: Buchanan, Dickinson, Lee, Wise and Grayson counties. Throughout Southwest Virginia, nearly 24 percent of households experience poverty, and the median annual household income is just 59 percent of the statewide average.
MEDIA CONTACT
Minhaj Hassan
media@irusa.org or (703) 370-7246
Or
Jillien Meier
jmeier@strength.org or (202) 734-3533
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national
charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S.
government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
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No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, eat healthy summer meals, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.