Jason "Grill Cheese" Grilli Kicks Off Feeding America Say No To Summer Hunger Events By Serving Lunch To Kids In Need

ATLANTA, June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For most kids, summer is a time of fun and excitement, but for 22 million kids in communities across the country it also may mean the end of access to the free or reduced price meals that nourish them during the school year. That means for every five kids participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, four will lose access to those meals as public schools close for the summer.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, along with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Atlanta Braves, hosted a special volunteer event today with Jason Grilli, a member of Feeding America's Entertainment Council and pitcher for the Braves.

"I'm honored to be kicking off Feeding America's Say No to Summer Hunger events to help raise awareness of child hunger," Grilli said. "If flipping grilled cheese sandwiches for an afternoon helps catch some attention for the issue, then I'm all for it."

The event was held at one of the Atlanta Community Food Bank's partner agencies, The Study Hall, which is a non-profit organization that provides after-school and summer camp programming for low-income elementary school children in the greater Peoplestown community in Atlanta.

After taking a tour of the The Study Hall, Grilli fired up the grills and served his favorite lunch item—grilled cheese sandwiches—to more than 60 kids, ages 5 through 11. The Study Hall is located in Fulton County where according to recent Feeding America Map the Meal Gap data, more than 54,000 children are food insecure, which means they may not know where they'll find their next meal. The state of Georgia has the fifth highest food-insecurity rate in the country.

"Every summer we see a spike in need, as more families come more often to the food pantries our network serves," said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. "Last year, more than 130 Feeding America food banks helped distribute nearly 8 million meals to children at 4,200 sites like The Study Hall, but this still isn't enough. We cannot let our children go without nutrition and support when school is out."

That's why Feeding America is teaming up with its Entertainment Council members like Grilli and hosting a series of Say No to Summer Hunger events across the country. Summer hunger is a reality for millions of kids in the United States, and our children need our community support.

The food components to make the event's grilled cheese sandwiches were provided by partners of the Atlanta Braves, Kroger and Nature's Own.

To learn how you can get involved in helping Say No to Summer Hunger, visit FeedingAmerica.org or to find a volunteer opportunity in the greater Atlanta community visit ACFB.org.

Allie Mabbott
Feeding America
312-629-7222 (office) or 708.309.0687 (cell)
[email protected]

Angie Clawson
Atlanta Community Food Bank
678-553-6010 (office)
[email protected]

Kelly Barnes
Atlanta Braves
404-614-1535
[email protected]  

About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About the Atlanta Community Food Bank
The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) began operating in 1979 from a small space at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. ACFB now distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products each year from a 129,600 square-foot facility in N.W. Atlanta. The product is accessed by 600 partner nonprofits that provide food assistance to families and individuals in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. ACFB leads seven distinct projects that reinforce its mission to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering our community: Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta's Table, Community Gardens, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In Need and Product Rescue Center.

ACFB is a member of Feeding America, the national network of more than 200 food banks. For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.acfb.org, and for more information on Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About The Study Hall
The Study Hall ("TSH"), a nonprofit organization, provides after-school and summer camp programming for low-income elementary school children in the greater Peoplestown community in Atlanta. Serving 150 young people annually, TSH's staff provides programs that help the children succeed in school and learn how to make good choices about their future. Homework assistance, enrichment activities, and outdoor time, followed by a nutritious dinner and transportation home are all provided each school day; in the summer, these activities expand to include educational and fun field trips. For 25 years, The Study Hall has been a positive, safe and happy place for the children in this community to come during out of school time.  

In the area served by The Study Hall, 40% of the adult population has not completed high school.  TSH is working with local residents to reverse this trend, and our students outperform their peers on all standardized testing while in our program. We know this translates to success in further schooling; indeed, we recently celebrated with a former participant who has graduated from college and is now applying to graduate school. For more information, visit www.thestudyhall.org.  

About Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991. During that time, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 15 division championships, five National League pennants, and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Fox Sports South and SportSouth. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 the Fan (AM), WYAY-FM (106.7) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at braves.com, facebook.com/braves, and twitter.com/braves.

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SOURCE Feeding America

Related Links

http://www.feedingamerica.org