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The U.S. is now in the thick of the 2008 campaign for president, with 12 candidates jousting on a range of issues from Iraq to immigration and the economy. While hunger and poverty are not at the forefront of the national debate, each of the candidates has stated positions on issues relating to Americans in need. To learn where the candidates stand on issues of hunger and its root causes, check out each candidate’s web site below.
Nominations for STOP Hunger Scholarships Are Open!We are pleased to announce that the Call for Nominations for the annual STOP Hunger Scholarships is now open. The scholarships recognize any child who is in school in the US (Kindergarten through graduate school) who has made an impact on the fight against hunger in the United States. Each student selected as a national scholarship recipient will receive a $3,000 scholarship award as well as a $3,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community. If you are a student who would like to apply online, click here then click on “APPLY or update a new application” and use access key SDXF. If you would like to nominate a student, and are 21 years of age or older, direct the student to apply online then click on “APPLY or update a new application” and use access key SDXF. Student Nomination Criteria
Scholarship Program FAQ
FACEBOOK USERS A Look at Last Year’s Scholarship Recipients
Cristina Jennings -- Atlanta, Georgia Hillary Krisman -- Tulsa, Oklahoma Gregory Leonard -- West Warwick, Rhode Island Tatum McWhirter -- Atchison, Kansas U.S. Mayors and Sodexo Sponsor Report on Hunger and HomelessnessThe U.S. Conference of Mayors and Sodexo, Inc. released their 2007 Hunger and Homelessness Report in December, once again shining a spotlight on challenges facing residents of America’s largest urban areas. This report analyzes the scale of the problem in 23 major American cities and the efforts these cities are making to address the issue. For the fifth year in a row, Sodexo, Inc. joined the Conference of Mayors in bringing national attention to the factors that have an impact on hunger and homelessness in U.S. cities. "Sodexo is committed to being a driving and creative force that contributes to a hunger-free nation," said Lorna Donatone, President of Sodexo, Inc. School Services Division. "I am pleased to stand with the Conference of Mayors as a representative of over 125,000 employees working to reduce hunger in communities all across the nation." Key findings relating to hunger and homelessness in the United States include:
Cities reported a limited ability to meet the need for emergency food assistance. Across the survey cities, 17 percent of all people in need of food assistance and 15 percent of households with children are not receiving it. Nineteen cities expect demand for food assistance to increase in 2008. This year’s report was prepared by Abt Associates and is based on data collected from The U.S. Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Information Questionnaire, completed by cities that reported on persons receiving food and shelter services for the period of November 1, 2006 through October 31, 2007. Important Bill Impacting Hunger Passes SenateProvisions in the Farm Bill’s critical Title IV Nutrition Programs relating to hunger and food insecurity are:
The provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill expired in 2007 and the Congress has spent months crafting the reauthorization bill, already missing the 2007 deadline. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Bill on July 27th; the Senate passed its version on December 14th. The Farm Bill is now in committee, where House and Senate negotiators will hammer out a final draft, with a goal of an early 2008 passage. With more than 35 million Americans at risk of hunger, the stakes are high for the nutrition programs funded in the Farm Bill. The Food Stamp Program has been an indispensable safety net for tens of millions of Americans over the years. Our company representatives have been closely following the bill as it has made its way through both houses and will continue to do so. We encourage all who are concerned about hunger in America to learn more about the nutrition components of the Farm Bill and contact their senators and representatives to voice their opinion on the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). Farm Bill links and resources Government Hunger Relief Organizations 35 Million Americans Are Again "Food Insecure"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Food Security Report for 2006 in November and the findings were disheartening. Once again, more than 35 million Americans were deemed “food insecure”—the phrase adopted by the USDA in 2006 to replace “hunger.” That number, up 300,000 from 2005, includes 22.9 million adults (10.4 percent of all adults) and 12.6 million children (17.2 percent of all children). The Report found that 11.1 million Americans (up from 10.8 million in 2005) lived in households with “very low food security,” a USDA term that means one or more people in the household was hungry over the course of the year because they couldn’t afford enough food. In its Report summary the USDA noted, “Rates of food insecurity were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the Federal poverty line, households with children headed by single women, and Black and Hispanic households. Geographically, food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas and, regionally, more prevalent in the South.” While the numbers of Americans at risk for hunger remains essentially the same, there are some warning clouds ahead. Food Banks cannot keep up with the increasing demand, with America’s Second Harvest projecting “an immediate food shortage of 15 million pounds -- the equivalent of more than 400 truckloads or 11.7 million meals -- by the end of January.” A weakening economy threatens to add more Americans to the ranks of the food insecure. Article ArchivesSTOP Hunger eZine Issues |
Jan. 2008 - Volume 3/Issue 1
In this issue: 
Sodexo Foundation and DC Central KitchenDC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is one of the nation’s largest and most successful hunger relief organizations. From their busy, state-of-the-art central kitchen they recover unused food, prepare and deliver meals to partner social service agencies, train and employ homeless men and women for the food service industry, and intellectually engage volunteers. Every day DCCK prepares and delivers 5,000 meals to nine shelters and 60+ partner agencies across the District of Columbia. The man behind the hectic daily kitchen operations is Jerald Thomas, a seasoned chef who almost lost it all to substance abuse–his job, his family, and his home. But today, Jerald has his life back thanks to his hard work, the help of Sodexo, and the DC Central Kitchen. While in recovery at a residential treatment center, Jerald first learned about DCCK’s Community Kitchen, a 12-week Culinary Job Training Program. He completed the program, was recertified in kitchen sanitation, and was hired by Sodexo as a cook. “Sodexo took a chance on me and gave me a great start back on my life,” recalls Thomas. “They saw my potential and promoted me from Cook to Junior Chef in just one week.” Sodexo and the Sodexo Foundation are long-time supporters of the DCCK and the national Community Kitchen program. Sodexo not only supports local program efforts and funds individual Community Kitchens with grants it hires many of the program's qualified graduates. Since 2000, Sodexo has hired 200 Community Kitchen graduates; placed more than 250 Community Kitchen students in internships; and helped train close to 950 students. Jerald Thomas is one of the shining stars of the Community Kitchen-Sodexo collaboration. After a one-year stint with Sodexo, Jerald returned to DCCK—not as a student but as a leader. He began as a Sous Chef and was soon promoted to Kitchen Director, a position he has held for nearly four years. Somehow, between managing a staff of 15 and producing 5,000 meals a day, Jerald found time to earn an Associate's Degree in culinary arts from Stratford University in Virginia. Jerald has turned his life around, and the Sodexo Foundation is proud to have played a role in his recovery. |
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Jeanette Clark -- Minneapolis, Minnesota Jeanette was Augsburg College's Campus Kitchens Project coordinator and played an integral part of the organization's annual "Turkeypalooza" which provides a complete Thanksgiving meal to families in need.