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Check Out Hunger

July 2011

The Check Out Hunger campaign takes place in all six Hornbacher’s stores for the entire month of July.  During this time, shoppers are invited to join Daily Bread in ending the solvable problem of domestic hunger in our community. 

The campaign is simple and easy.  At time of check-out, shoppers are invited to add a $1, $3 or $5 donation to their grocery bill.  Donations collected will support Daily Bread’s efforts to supply quality and nutritious food to those living with, or at risk of hunger in the Cass-Clay community. 

Daily Bread collects surplus perishable food and prepared meals from more than 50 area grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, schools and hospitals and distributes it to a network of 35 emergency shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens and other charitable feeding programs serving the hungry and homeless.  Every year, Daily Bread recovers nearly 2 million pounds of food that would otherwise go to waste.

“1 in 11 individuals receive food rescued by Daily Bread - nearly half of them being children”, says director Steve Sellent.  “Shoppers participating in this campaign are making an incredible impact in the fight against hunger in our community.  Our average cost to recover and distribute this excess food is less than 10¢ a meal, which means we can provide 10 meals for every dollar raised through Check Out Hunger.” 

Summer is a critical time for the services provided by Daily Bread for the families of more than 4,000 children who typically receive nutritionally balanced free or reduced price breakfast and/or lunches during the school year.  Throughout the summer months, parents are on their own in meeting the hunger needs of their kids and rely on programs like Daily Bread to fill in the gaps. 
    
While charitable donations are traditionally highest during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, Daily Bread officials are hoping that people will include the Fourth of July holiday this year as well, with Check Out Hunger giving everyone an easy and convenient way to share in the responsibility of ending hunger in our community this summer.