by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff As you are reading this, there are children in America who don't know if they will eat today. How is this possible when America has so many available resources? Are we really using what have to the fullest advantage? Urban gardens are known for reducing hunger. What if we took it a step further and required all schools to have them? Can school garden farms reduce childhood hunger?
Childhood Hunger in America According to FeedingAmerica.org, 16.7 million American children faced hunger issues in 2008. In a country as abundant as this, why should this be an issue? Rearranging priorities may help. What if schools were required to have garden farms that provided nutrition for the entire neighborhood? This would be a simple program to implement. In fact, there are already grants and other plans in place for those who wish to do so. Why Create School Garden Farms? School gardens can help teach kids about agriculture. Giving them a head start in important sustainability lessons may help increase the chance of their success later in life. Schools are often the center of their neighborhood. It's where many events and gatherings take place. The farming could be implemented into the curriculum. At harvest time for each plant, the kids can divide the crops evenly, according to how many people need them. There will likely be plenty for their families, as well as others in the neighborhood. If various crops are planted according to season, there should be plenty of food year-round. When school is not in session, the garden can still be maintained. This will help make up for the lack of nutrition many people suffer from. Can School Gardens Really Reduce Childhood Hunger in America? According to UrbanHarvest.org, community gardens help reduce hunger. Following that pattern, wouldn't it make sense that a school garden could help reduce hunger in children? If the food was distributed evenly to all neighborhood families by default, people may not be so hesitant to take it. Sometimes people are in need, but are embarrassed to admit they need help. Some may not have adequate transportation to get to that help. By making the community garden a part of the school's curriculum and regular routine, it's possible that childhood hunger could be reduced significantly. Taking away the sometimes grueling application experience and other measures may make this option more desirable for some families. With this type of plan, no one needs to feel left out and no one needs to be put on the spot or labeled. More on Hunger: Feeding America Hunger and Poverty Statistics Urban Harvest on Why Community Gardens are Valuable Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples on Urban Gardens *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff Does your teen need something to do? Volunteer work is an excellent way to prepare teens for the career world. It also gives them great references for college and an opportunity to make a difference. But where can teens volunteer? My teenager and I have been researching the options to decide which one is best for her. Volunteering is a rewarding experience. But it's important to do all the research and find out which program your teen is most suited to. Many programs have one or two day positions that would be a great way to test the waters in several programs before finding a more permanent one. Working with animals is fun and rewarding. There are various opportunities for teens to do so. Rescue organizations, veterinarians, horse ranches, and more often allow teens to help out. Call around to the organizations in your area to see who needs help. My daughter and I learned that, depending on age, the nature of the opportunity, and each organization, an adult may need to volunteer along with the teen. Some opportunities may include cage cleaning, dog walking, playing with animals, socializing animals, and more. Help out the elderly. Nursing homes and assisted living communities may welcome teens willing to help out. This could include a variety of tasks, such as playing games, pushing around a wheelchair, talking, and more. Some of these people will have little to no contact from relatives. Someone just being there to spend some time can make a world of difference for them. Even those who do have loved ones who visit, another visitor can really brighten their day. If there are no such communities in your area, there may be an older person you know who needs help with groceries, walking the dog, washing dishes, and other small tasks. Pitch in for those in need. Teens can volunteer at sorting centers, soup kitchens, churches, and other organizations that help assist those in poverty or homeless. Each has different rules on the ages of volunteers and what they can do to help. Listings can be found under homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, charitable organizations, and churches. Not all churches have these types of programs, but many do. So if you can't find any shelters or other organizations in your area, call the churches. Sharing knowledge helps fellow students. Tutoring other students in the subjects your teen excels in may be another option. This volunteer opportunity could be through your teen's school or through a private organization. Call the school first to see what is available there. If there is nothing available at the school or your child is homeschooled, call various educational organizations. Homeschool groups also may have opportunities for students to help each other. Some high schools may even have a class that allows students to help teachers in elementary or middle schools. I attended a class like this in high school and was able to assist a class of third grade students during their literacy block. Search volunteer match programs. If the above options are not ideal or you have trouble finding them, try a volunteer match program. United Way and Red Cross are two good places to start in every area. They can help you find out some of what's available in your area and help get your teen started. There are also several great online volunteer matching sites that may assist your teen. Simply fill in interests, location info, and more to find the best volunteer programs for your teen. The application process may take place online or in person, depending on the organization. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network 11-Year-Old's Story Proves to Kids That They Can Make an Impact if They Tryby Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer Note: This is an older piece I originally published in 2010 via Yahoo Contributor Network. However, Olivia Bouler is still at it in even bigger ways. If you met Olivia Bouler, your perception of things might change. She saw an opportunity and seized it. What's so unique about Olivia is that she is just 11 years old. Right now, Olivia is on tour to make a difference in her own way. When the oil spill happened in the gulf, Olivia made the decision to donate 500 bird drawings - one for each of the first 500 people to donate to the Audubon society to help. I recently was able to speak to this amazing little girl and feel her story is one all parents can use to teach their kids to stand up for what they believe in. Putting Thoughts Into Action ("One Small Thing Can Make a Big Difference.") Since the initial decision, Olivia has come out with a book called "Olivia's Birds, Saving the Gulf." All of the writing and illustrations in the book are Olivia's own. Those interested in following Olivia's efforts can follow her Facebook page, suggested by the Audubon Society. If you thought the drawings are where Olivia's story ends, you would be very wrong. She has won several awards and even participated in beach cleanup with Disney's Friends for Change with Nick and Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. According to Olivia, "My parents have always loved the environment. I've grown up in a very big-hearted family. Very loving brother, parents, and grandparents." Her efforts don't stop at a few small things. Although, as Olivia said to me "one small thing can make a difference." How Parents Can Use Olivia's Story Over $200,000 was raised through her efforts at the time I spoke to Olivia. Parents can talk to their kids about what she has done by using her Facebook page, reports on what she does, as well as her book. I found her illustrations to be beautiful and her words to be so inspiring. I have used lessons from Olivia's actions to teach my own kids. But don't end the lessons at simply looking up the information. Let your kids put their dreams into action. For those interested in helping the environment Olivia suggests to start with "just throwing birdfeed or saving your food items to plant trees, recycling, everything - even just a little cup of water outside for the birds. It's one step at a time and you can could change the world." What is Olivia Up To? In addition to her book coming out and doing her drawings, Olivia Bouler made 2010 ASPCA Kid of the Year. She's currently on a book tour. As part of this, Four Seasons is flying her to Costa Rica to distribute books to schoolkids and read them. For that, she received a grant from Disney Friends for Change and the Youth Service of America . Four Seasons is footing the bill. Olivia is also a recipient of the Dale Earnhardt Legends Leadership Scholarship and a Dawn Jr. Wildlife Champion. Is Olivia just a normal kid? This is likely a question your kids will want to ask. Of course, she's a normal kid, just like any other. Everything you do doesn't have to be amazing. It's great to make a difference, but kids will still be kids. Olivia likes to play jazz music via her alto saxophone. She says her brother is pretty amazing, too. She also swims at the YMCA and does other things normal kids do. She does of course get tons of fan mail on Facebook. But underneath all that, she wants other kids to know that she is just like them and they can make a big impact, too. “The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is an accessible ear.” ~ Maya Angelou Are you accessible to those around you? Be it business or personal, you should always lend an ear. Not only can being accessible strengthen trust and relationships. But it is also vital to solving important issues. What does this have to do with poverty or homelessness? Think about it. In order to be successful in getting the most help out to those who really need it, a program needs to be very accessible. Also think in terms of support and encouragement. Like Ms. Angelou says, lend an ear. Listen to your client, friend, or family member in need. I mean really listen hard and be there for them. That is the first step to helping someone succeed in life. Without the inspiration and desire to do so, all the assistance in the world is not going to matter. If someone is not encouraged, it will be a wasted effort. If you offer help that is not easily accessed, it is a wasted effort. But when you are accessible in times of need, this can make all the difference in someone's life. So, the next time a client, acquaintance, or friend comes to you for help, be accessible.
Should all schools serve breakfast in this way to reduce childhood hunger?
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