Children's Hunger Alliance Menu of Hope

More than 1 in 4 Ohio children live in food-insecure homes, not knowing where they will get their next meal. On February 22nd, 2022, the Children’s Hunger Alliance hosted The 27th Annual Menu of Hope, raising more than $450,000 to provide millions of meals this year to feed over 700,000 hungry children statewide.

According to Judy Mobley, president and chief executive officer, Children’s Hunger Alliance adapted to the incredible interruptions generated by COVID-19 with food vendors by opening their own food packing warehouse in the fall of 2020, ensuring a more reliable support network for the accompanying increased demand for their ready-to-eat meals, seamlessly providing over 9.9 million meals across Ohio.

For the second year in a row, Children’s Hunger Alliance broadcasted a livestream of the popular Menu of Hope event. In place of a keynote speak, an informative panel discussion included Erica C. Crawley, President of the Franklin County Commissioners, who struggled with food insecurity as a single mother; Steve Denny, Executive Director of Business Affairs at Winton Woods City Schools, an educator on the frontlines every day ensuring kids get enough food to be ready to learn; and Elizabeth Zmuda, D.O., Director of Medical Education - Doctor’s Hospital at Ohio Health, a pediatrician who spoke about the health effects of hunger on children. The event was also highlighted by a moving story about growing up with childhood hunger, shared by State Representative Dontavius Jarrells, an avid supporter of CHA’s programs.

Shown here are pictures from CHA’s 2019 Menu of Hope event. The complete livestream of the 27th Annual Menu of Hope can be found on CHAOhio’s YouTube page, or directly at tinyurl.com/27thmenuofhope. For information on future events, or for more ways to get involved & support CHA directly, visit their website at childrenshungeralliance.org.