Dear friends and supporters,
Now more than ever I want to thank you for your dedication to making food possible for the hungry. I hope you, your families and loved ones are safe and will remain healthy. I know this is a scary time for all Americans. We are praying and keeping you in our thoughts.
I want you to know that we are taking action to ensure that our neighbors aren't forgotten. As schools and businesses across the nation close, millions of families are facing a crisis. How will they put food on the table? The most vulnerable rely on school meals and feeding programs to survive. Those living paycheck-to-paycheck may not have savings or support systems to help them. It is urgent that we do not let our neighbors down when they need us the most.
The National School Lunch Program normally supplies close to 29 million free or reduced lunches. These meals are a critical lifeline. As school doors close across the country, vital essentials need to reach food-insecure families as soon as possible. Consider how many children are directly affected right now and will be in the coming weeks or months.
This crisis will put a strain on our resources and the resources of our partners. However, please know that we will NOT let that stop us from doing everything possible to help America's most vulnerable.
I hope you will take action with us if you are able and I want to encourage you to give today, no matter the amount. Please know that your donation may be the lifeline for a struggling family or child who lives in your community. That's why every donation matters so much.
I also hope you will rally with our neighbors across the country to practice kindness, decency and civility whenever possible. I know it's alarming and it's easy to feel helpless but in each of our communities there are opportunities to practice kindness. It may be something small like checking on elderly neighbors or buying gift cards from local businesses. For some people, it means staying at home to help minimize risk. There is no act of kindness too small. Let's be good to one another.
Thank you for all that you do to help the most vulnerable. Please stay safe and know that all of you are in my prayers during this crisis.
Your friend at Feed the Children,
Travis Arnold
President and Chief Executive Officer