Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Partners with No Kid Hungry to Create Youth Engagement Toolkit

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that its nonprofit charitable arm, Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and No Kid Hungry have delivered a valuable blueprint that uniquely engages youth in the fight against hunger. The newly launched Youth Engagement Toolkit provides actionable steps that youth can take to assist the 1-in-5 children at risk of hunger in the U.S. Compelling peer testimonials included in the toolkit also describe what drove other youth to the cause.

Hunger remains a serious problem among the nation's youth, where more than 16 million children lack a reliable source of daily nutrition and 50 percent of students in public schools come from low income families that struggle to provide adequate food for the household. Teachers see the effects up close. Three out of four educators say that they regularly see kids coming to school hungry.

"Solving childhood hunger is not an unattainable goal. There are motivated kids all over the country who are tackling it and making a huge impact in local communities every day," said Shondra Jenkins, executive director Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. "The Youth Engagement Toolkit will further equip nonprofit organizations with tips on how to engage young leaders who want to improve the lives of their peers."

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and No Kid Hungry created a toolkit that:

• Shares best practices for what works to effectively engage youth
• Provides communications templates and social media resources
• Outlines immediate steps youth can take to have a real impact

An online survey of 138 youth between the ages of 10 and 25 years led to a series of six recommendations for how to engage youth in the fight to end childhood hunger. While specific to childhood hunger, these best practices can be applied by any nonprofit organization working to engage youth in a social cause by doing the following:

1. Ask youth how they want to help.
2. Be genuinely inclusive.
3. Work through schools as a means to get youth involved.
4. Show appreciation for their perspective.
5. Be responsive and authentic.
6. Use the right communications platforms.

The Youth Engagement Toolkit provides an understanding of what works in engaging youth, with tools that can be used to broaden the base and immediately engage youth support in the fight to end childhood hunger. Sponsored by Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation in partnership with No Kid Hungry, the toolkit was developed by SHG Advisors, a firm that strategically advises corporations, foundations and nonprofits to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable and timely change.

Learn more about how to engage young people by reading Six Steps to Engage Millennials in Social Change and utilizing the complimentary Youth Engagement Toolkit.

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.

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