The Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in the Nation's Capital

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is this project important? Are there really hungry kids in Washington, DC?
2. How will the Partnership end childhood hunger?
3. What will it cost to implement this plan?
4. Who is taking lead on implementing this strategy?
5. Why just focus on children? Isn't the biggest hunger problem among seniors?
6. What is your national plan?
7. How can I help?

1) Why is this project important? Are there really hungry kids in Washington, DC?

This project is important because there really are hungry children in the District of Columbia - approximately 35,000 living in families that don't always know where there next meal is coming from. By making sure these children get access to nutritious food where they live, learn, play and pray, we can improve their ability to concentrate in school, help them avoid health problems, and increase their likelihood of long-term success.

2) How will the Partnership end childhood hunger?

Working with a group of more than 100 committed leaders from the community organizations, businesses, government agencies and school around the city, we've developed a 10-step plan based on three core ideas: Increasing public awareness and participation in existing nutrition support and education programs; Improving the infrastructure for getting nutritious food to children and their families; and Helping families help themselves with improved economic security.

3) What will it cost to implement this plan?

The cost of putting this plan into action will be relatively modest -$1.4 million per year in the first two years. The return on that investment will be substantial - approximately $14 million per year in federal aid to D.C. families, community organizations and schools that is currently available, but not being claimed.

4) Who is taking lead on implementing this strategy?

D.C. Hunger Solutions will be the primary agency coordinating these efforts, with the full and active participation of the other members of this Partnership -- Share Our Strength and FRAC -- the District government, and other key stakeholders.

5) Why just focus on children? Isn't the biggest hunger problem among seniors?

While we ultimately want to see the end of hunger in its entirety, focusing on children provides the biggest possible immediate benefit because of its impact on a range of social problems - and because by helping children and their families, we can actually address a population much larger than simply those children themselves.

6) What is your national plan?

FRAC and Share Our Strength are committed to building on the model we've launched here -- not with one grand national effort, but continuing to work with community-based groups in both big cities and rural areas to address their particular needs. We know that a big percentage of the problem is concentrated in a relatively small number of places, and we're going to focus our efforts there -- we've already begun talking with local anti-hunger experts in other areas of the country, and intend to use this effort as the starting point of a national campaign.

7) How can I help?

This plan will only succeed with the active involvement of every part of the D.C. community. You can find a list of suggest ways to make a difference in the Get Involved section.