September was National Hunger Action Month, and Smith’s Food and Drug Stores asked their customers to join in their efforts to help solve hunger. During the month, Smith’s store associates in 141 stores engaged with customers to raise awareness of childhood hunger and request they donate $1.50 for a breakfast meal for local school children. Smith’s matched every donation to help end hunger in communities Smith’s call home.
As part of Make A Difference Day, on October 14, Smith’s associates used the funds to assemble 17,000 breakfast bags and delivered them to local elementary school children in need in their local community.
According to Feeding America, 9 million children in the United States may not know where to get their next meal. That staggering statistic is equivalent to 1 in 8 children being identified as food insecure. It’s a simple fact: A child’s chance for a bright tomorrow starts with getting enough food to eat today.
In 2017, Smith’s parent company Kroger, announced their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative to end hunger in our communities and eliminate waste across their company by 2025. Smith’s celebrates this milestone each year by participating in an annual Make a Difference Day where associates have the opportunity to donate their time to help solve hunger in their community.
“Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast retain information better, are more focused and have higher test scores,” said Aubriana Martindale, Smith’s corporate affairs manager. “That’s why Smith’s is encouraging our customers to support students to assure their nutrition needs are being met and that school success is realized.”
