Baltimore Hunger Project on Righteous Crowd this Week!
A food package with a special note for a child experiencing weekend hunger.
Baltimore Hunger Project
Feeding Bodies and Minds
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, Joseph designs a system to respond to famine in Egypt. Inspired by Joseph’s initiative in tackling Hunger, we are supporting an organization dedicated to eliminating the growing problem of weekend childhood hunger. Baltimore Hunger Project bridges the gap between Friday and Monday by providing weekend food
packages to children identified as food insecure, in a compassionate and dignified manner.
Baltimore Hunger Project raises awareness about the effects of hunger by establishing partnerships with community members, other organizations, and decision makers.
Read our most recent interview below with Lynne B. Kahn, Founder and Executive Director of Baltimore Hunger Project.
Why did you decide to start Baltimore Hunger Project?
Ten years ago I started a monthly lunch making program in my garage where I gathered families to pack lunches for two women and children homeless shelters. I had the pleasure to deliver the bagged lunches to the shelters and realized how impactful it was for the children to have their own lunch. I discovered that many children, who rely on meals when school is in session, do not have enough food to sustain them over the weekend. I knew I wanted to take on the challenge of providing hungry kids with weekend food. That is how Baltimore Hunger Project was born.
What is a meaningful story about Baltimore Hunger Project?
We want to eliminate the barriers, big and small, for our families. It came to our attention that several of our children are considered homeless or living in a hostile environment with very little. One young boy confided to his guidance counselor that he did not have paper plates or plastic cutlery at home. We are now providing a pack of cutlery in each weekend bag because we know this boy is not alone. It puts everything into perspective.
What has surprised you about working with your organization?
I am most surprised by the tremendous outpouring of support from our community and its leaders. Weekend childhood hunger is an epidemic and it is prevalent in our neighborhoods. Our local businesses, schools, houses of worship, have all answered the call to help our children. We are making a difference. We are filling the kids actual physical backpacks each week with nourishing food and snacks but we are also easing the burden of food insecurity that would otherwise weigh heavily in the invisible, emotional backpacks they carry around school each day.
What are some non-monetary ways for others to get involved in your organization or cause?
We are a grassroots, volunteer based organization that relies heavily on volunteers who come to our headquarters to unload food deliveries, pack food bags, provide front desk support, write notes of encouragement, deliver weekend meal bags to schools and assist in all aspects of the organization. Additionally, there are corporations that donate their time and money to pack food bags and schools that send students for community service hours.
How would you connect your organization to a Jewish value?
I grew up with a strong Jewish background and feel giving back is my responsibility. Giving back was something my parents modeled so it is what I know. If we didn't do this, these children won't be eating.
What has inspired you in the work that you are doing?
This inspires me (sent to me by a supported school counselor) Many of the psycho-social stressors faced by our families can feel isolating, and even shameful in many respects. However, with BHP, our Friday distributions change the tone dramatically. While we make every effort to ensure the privacy of our recipients, during the Friday distributions, as students come to grab their bags, they smile, joke and laugh with their peers. They point out their favorite part in the pack each week and look forward to the camaraderie. For just a few moments, our kids have the chance to see that they are far from alone in their struggles and derive a sense of community from so many students and peers who remind them that they are not alone.
To learn more about Baltimore Hunger Project click here.