As you know, I am a big fan Share Our Strength. (But hey, so is “The Dude.”) It’s a great organization with the goal of ending childhood hunger here in the US. Yes, it is a monumental task, but … (pause) … it shouldn’t be!

I received an email today that caught my attention. Not right away, but more and more as it settled in my brain. It stated that millions of kids rely on school lunches for food. When there’s no school, that means no lunches either for these kids, and as a result, they go hungry.

Photo by Chiot's Run's

I’m fortunate to have wonderful childhood memories during the summer, and I’m sure you have the same. But imagine kids who dread summer because they know they will be hungry. It shouldn’t be like that.

It doesn’t have to be like that.

So a question comes to mind, “What can I do?” I would answer, “Something.”

Last week, I was lucky enough to get tickets for a Mumford & Sons concert. In one of their songs, they sing,“If only I had an enemy bigger than my apathy, I could have won.”

I believe childhood hunger is a matter of overcoming apathy. If we were not apathetic we would do something.

So rather than tell you a bunch of different ways to do something, I want you to do something. Write a comment offering a suggestion of something that we can do – something you have done – something you know is being done.

What do you get when you put together over a dozen grade school kids, some chef hats, knives, and a lot of energy?  (No this isn’t a Foodvenger clue…) The answer is Cooking Matters from Share Our Strength.

I was fortunate enough to experience five weeks with some really terrific kids and teach them how to shop, cook, and eat more healthy, nutritious food. Hadley was our fearless leader that kept everyone moving the right direction. Rachel was our knowledgeable nutritionist who taught the kids all about healthy food.  And last but not least, our skilled chef Jennifer showed the kids how to prepare delicious, healthy meals.

Each week we would spend the first hour teaching kids all about food. Then the fun came, and we would put our hats on, roll up our sleeves, and start cooking.  Finally, we would feast on the meals the kids prepared, which, in all honesty, were delicious! I could go on and on about how much fun I had and how impressive Cooking Matters is, but I thought I’d show you a glimpse through a video.

The kids picked the song, so thanks to the artist: Glee Cast.

Visit Cooking Matters to learn how you can participate: http://cookingmatters.org/.

Leave a comment to keep the conversation going about food and cooking education for kids.