Thank you Tyson Foods, Hum. Minds at Work., Media Sauce and Kompolt for supporting the Capital Area Food Bank’s (CAFB) efforts to end childhood hunger in Central Texas.

The recent headlines about the rising cost of food, economic downturn, droughts in foreign countries, conflicts and trade imbalances have impacted CAFB in two ways – the increased cost to purchase healthy food for those that rely on our services, and longer lines with more children waiting to receive emergency food assistance.

Traditionally, food banks provide a necessary relief for hunger, especially during emergency situations. But the charity model has not, and in many cases, is not systemically designed to reduce the long-term need. This shift in demand now requires food banks and other charitable organizations to examine its increasing role in the food system for so many Americans. The danger: we begin to accept what should be unacceptable.

There is hope.

No man is an island, entire of itself… John Donne (1572-1631)

The Pledge to End Hunger is a critical step in changing people’s thoughts about how we treat our youngest neighbors, and what social conditions are unacceptable. It takes bold leadership to create social change, and we at the Capital Area Food Bank applaud this effort to bring the hunger conversation to the social media landscape.

We look forward to the day when our children enjoy afternoons learning, playing, and spending quality time with loved ones, instead of standing in a food line. Our children deserve better and with your help, we will get there.