MATTER is excited to partner again this year with KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, addressing summer hunger for children and families in Minnesota. Formerly called Summer Harvest for Kids, the new Feeding Minnesota campaign will run throughout the summer, raising awareness and funding to help alleviate household food insecurity and hunger in our communities. As part of the campaign, MATTER is working with our community partners to provide 50,000 healthy meals to children and families this summer, a time when food demand is high, food sources and food pantries are stretched, and children are out of school.
The MATTERbox snack packs are a healthier food alternative to junk food and taste great. We focus on quality products that are whole grain, low sodium, and low sugar. Each pack comes with unsweetened applesauce, whole grain crackers, wow butter, and ‘you matter’ notes of encouragement. The MATTERbox Snack Pack helps break down barriers associated with access to healthy food and nutrition education, providing kids and families with wholesome food, along with the tools and information to change eating habits and improve health outcomes.
For this campaign, we’ll be focusing on youth sports camps and summer programs, places that can help a child connect healthy food together with activity. A partial list of groups that will benefit from this campaign: JP4 Foundation, Sanneh Foundation, Thielen Foundation, Lewis Sports Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Blaine Soccer Club.
“Lack of access to food is a concern and we see youth come around casing a room for food. Being able to have MATTERbox snack packs available lets us address a basic need in a consistently unshameful way. A lot of times kids do not want to admit they have not eaten or do not have food at home. Their anxiety and focus changes once provided with nourishment and it also helps build a positive relationship with the adults on our staff.” – Tony Sanneh, Founder and President of The Sanneh Foundation
To learn more or make a donation to help increase healthy food access and food security this summer for people in Minnesota, visit the Feeding Minnesota MATTER donation page.
Watch these recent KSTP-TV News Stories on MATTER and Feeding Minnesota to learn more!
