Ahh. It’s the autumnal equinox and we are finally heading into fall. New Jersey children are back in a school and our beaches are looking a little empty. Folks are putting away the floppy hats and shorts and bringing out the does-the-AC-feel-colder-than-usual-in-here? jackets. 

It’ll be hard to let go of summer. It was pretty special, with the Food Bank of South Jersey distributing more than 100,000 meals to our communities’ children. Healthy snacks and meals, lovingly handed out by staff and volunteers, fueled summer days at parks, camps, community programs, and other spots along the way. Thousands of children didn’t have to worry about where their next meal was coming from.  

The food bank was there. 

Now, as we transition into the flurry of fall, we can’t help but feel a little something akin to those first-day-of-class butterflies. With Summer Meals behind us, we, too, head back to school.  

At the Food Bank, we want our kids to thrive every day of the year. But, right now, 1 in 8 kids in our region face food insecurity. 

Our focus on South Jersey’s kids is not a summertime fling. Now that school is back in session, so are our afterschool and weekend programs. Programs that ensure our children don’t have to worry about food after they’ve left the cafeteria or the last bell of the day has rung. 

Science tells us that kids who don’t get enough healthy food are not at their best mentally or physically. Food insecure children lag behind in gym class, the nurse’s office, and in the classroom. Which is why the Food Bank offers Kids Thrive 365. 

Kids Thrive 365 is our full plate of offerings for our communities’ youth. With after-school-hours snacks, pre-packed weekend meals, and school pantries offering healthy foods for families, the nutritional needs of students in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties are tended to every day of the year.  

“A hungry student is unable to learn, and being able to provide a healthy, nutritious meal or snack makes a big difference,” said Terzah Bembridge from All Things Possible Foundation. “We are grateful to know that we are helping those children that may be dealing with food insecurities. When their belly is satisfied, it improves the child’s attendance and behavior to allow the student to engage in school.”  

Through Kids Thrive 365 and our partners at groups like All Things Possible, schools, and community centers throughout the region, thousands of South Jersey students receive the nutrition they need to succeed in school and in life.  

More than just a run-of-the-mill group of programs, Kids Thrive 365 is a promise. A promise that we will do all we can to ensure that no kid goes to bed hungry. Not today, not next weekend, not over the holidays. We want South Jersey’s future leaders ready for tomorrow. And a bright tomorrow starts with a full stomach today. 

The post Winter, spring, summer, or fall – We’ll be there, making sure Kids Thrive 365 appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

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GROWING IN HEALTH & WELLNESS:

Ediel Velazquez Journey from Participant to Assistant Nutritionist

When Ediel Velazquez first participated in the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Health & Wellness programs, he was just starting middle school at Cooper B. Hatch Family School in Camden. The program Ediel experienced was Cooking Matters for Kids, a component of the program Cooking Matters, which empowers families with the tools and strategies to stretch their budget in order to cook healthy meals.

For Ediel, Cooking Matters for Kids introduced a love of cooking, as well as the skills and understanding to make healthy food choices. It also introduced Ediel to a whole new Food Bank family that would watch him grow into a youth leader in his community, as well as an aspiring nutritionist and vHealth & Wellness youth leader.

Today, at 17, with a focus on supporting and demonstrating a message of healthy food understanding, nutritious food preparation and youth hunger awareness, Ediel serves as a Nutrition Assistant at the Food Bank. A senior at Camden’s Big Picture Learning Academy, as well as a leading participant in the Camden Youth Advisory Council (CYAC), which regularly holds meetings at the Food Bank of South Jersey, Ediel has grown from a shy middle schooler into a powerful youth leader – with a passion for sharing the importance of healthy eating.

“When we first met Ediel, he was quiet, but really eager to learn,” shares Tricia Yeo, Senior Manager, Health & Wellness at the Food Bank of South Jersey. “When asking the students question about the class, he wasn’t the first to raise his hand, but he always knew the answer. He was willing to try everything that we cooked – he was interested, respectful and appreciative and those qualities have not changed.”

Over his years of involvement – from childhood program participant to experienced assistant nutritionist – Ediel understands not only the basics of nutrition, but the science behind healthy choices. His journey with the Health & Wellness team at the Food Bank has taken him from earnest learner to engaged teacher – a journey the Food Bank’s Yeo is incredibly grateful to have witnessed.

“When he is assisting in our children’s programming, he knows just the right things to say to get young students to try new foods. When he is working in our adult classes, he always impresses participants with his knowledge and expertise,” Yeo says proudly. “He is an amazingly pleasant, thoughtful, smart and dedicated young leader, with the creativity, intellect and work ethic to inspire all who meet him.”

As for Ediel, his humility exudes from his warm, brilliant smile: “Nutrition is very important. Growing up as part of the Food Bank has been such a big part of my life – I am glad I have had the opportunity to learn and grown with the Food Bank, and to be able to now share my knowledge with the community.”

To learn more about the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Health & Wellness programs for children and young people, like Ediel, visit foodbanksj.org/health-and-wellness.

WINTER 2020 NEWSLETTER

Take a look inside and discover our history!

The post Growing in Health and Wellness: Journey with Ediel appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.