Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) has pledged to distribute 5,000 bags with 20 or more non-perishable food items to children prior to the winter break from school. Research shows that 1 in 5 children go to bed hungry in California. During the holidays, many parents struggle even more to provide meals normally covered during traditional school hours. Therefore while many of us welcome the holidays as a nice, relaxing break from school or work, there are many families that don’t necessarily share the same outlook.

This shocking statistic has moved CCRC to take initiative to alleviate this hunger gap during the holidays. The non-profit has asked community members, businesses, elected officials and others to host a food drive, drop off non-perishable items at one of its four main locations or make a cash donation. For every $3 donated, one child can be fed for a day. A $42 donation can feed a child for the 14 days of the school break.

Since October 1st, the agency has hosted a successful poker event, participated in Giving Tuesday, and received many individual donations resulting in $35,000 raised to help reach their goal of $200,000.

“This is the first year for the Hunger Free Holiday campaign and we are thankful for the generosity and support from our community! We know that children who experience food insecurity tend to have a lower health-related quality of life and may have difficulties with foundational skills like language comprehension. Having consistent and convenient access to food helps ensure that children don’t need to worry about their next meal, which, in turn, makes for happier, healthier kids,” said Susan Montalvo, Director of Communications.

The agency has already distributed more 2,000 bags of food to children across Northern Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

Join CCRC and, as a community, we can bridge the holiday hunger gap together. Visit www.ccrcca.org/hungerfreeholiday or give us a call at 818-717-1036.