Childhood Memories and the Importance of School Lunches

It’s that time of year again! Parents and kiddos are both excitedly getting ready for all that “back-to-school” brings to a family. Each store that I’ve entered over the past few weeks is littered with school supply displays and with mannequins dressed in the latest fashion trends. Big yellow buses are now part of my morning commuter traffic as I head into the office and the idea of summer is quickly fading.

It is easy to see all of the excitement from these children and remember your own childhood back-to-school moments. Recently, while on a group LIVE with our SkinnyBox™ Facebook family, I talked about how much I love our pudding skinny packs (seriously so good!) and how they were connected to a school lunchroom memory that I had from many years ago.

I remembered back then that other children had brightly colored lunch boxes filled with juice pouches and yummy snacks that I rarely got to enjoy at my house. One of those snacks was a Jell-O pudding cup. I used to think that must be the best treat ever! So fast forward decades later when I had to choose my skinny packs each day on our program, guess which one was always on the menu? You guessed it – a pudding skinny pack. And for the record, yes, they taste exactly like a pudding cup!

The Impact of School Lunch Programs on Childhood Hunger

You see, my sister, two brothers and I were raised by an incredible single mom. A mom who worked hard and tried to make sure that we had all that we needed. I remember each school year we would bring home lunch forms to be filled out and returned, so that we would be able to eat a free school lunch. This form alleviated the stress of my mother having to worry if her children were hungry or not during the school day. Trust me when I tell you that we were all so grateful for this program. It was a blessing to our family in such a way that it would be difficult to explain to anyone who has never sat in a math class unable to concentrate because of hunger pangs.

I guess this memory was also rolling around in my mind when our executive team began brainstorming back-to-school organizations that could benefit from our helping them raise funds. I quickly thought of that lunchroom and those school lunches that my siblings and I enjoyed and were so thankful to receive.

Partnering with All for Lunch, Inc. to Fight Hunger

After some research I discovered All for Lunch, Inc., a national organization that is headquartered right here in Georgia and whose sole mission is to eliminate school lunch debt and fight against childhood food insecurity across the country.

Statistics show that children as young as five years old are struggling with hunger in school due to financial circumstances that are out of their control. All for Lunch not only works to eliminate school lunch debt, but also provides access to essential food items so children will always have access to healthy meals regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

One huge misconception surrounding this topic is that only a few students are affected by lunch debt. But the fact is, according to EducationalData.com, 30.4 million students struggle to pay for their school meals. Feeding America reports that 89% of households with children experience food insecurity. Many families fall through the cracks of the free lunch program. They earn just enough to disqualify them from assistance, yet still can’t afford school lunches. This leaves kids worried about their next meal and feeling left out.

With a simple goal of working to ensure that every child has access to lunch at school, regardless of their financial situation at home, All for Lunch, Inc. has funded over 100,000 lunches through donations from businesses and community members. As a 501c3 nonprofit and having no paid staff or overhead, this organization gives 100% back to schools throughout communities everywhere.

As a company, SkinnyBox™ strives to make health affordable and accessible to anyone. We know that developing good nutritional habits as a child is the fundamental building block for a healthy, habit-forming adult. We believe that when children build healthy relationships surrounding food, free from shame, scarcity, and insecurity, they are more likely to develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

How You Can Help: SkinnyBox™ Fundraising Initiative

This year, we are proud to partner with All for Lunch, Inc. for our back-to-school fundraising initiative. We would like to thank you in advance for supporting this amazing cause with your SkinnyBox™ purchase during August 20th through the 31st. During these dates we will be extending a sitewide sale of 15% off all products to all customers (code: BACKTOSCHOOL) where a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to All for Lunch, Inc. from this sale cycle. For all of our Founding Members and Lifetime Lock Members, please don’t forget to use your coupons as they are stackable with this sale.

Together We Can Make a Difference

We know that the expression is true, “It takes a village.” What better village to call on than our SkinnyBox™ family. Together we believe that we can make a difference!

To find out more about All for Lunch, Inc. please visit AllForLunch.org