While researching for my policy brief, I found out about the campaign through End Hunger CT! called the "Outreach Blitz" that would take place on July 8. As I continued to read about the need for volunteers, both virtually and on foot, I thought about how I could help. Due to work commitments, I was unable to "pound the pavement" and handout fliers in Hartford like I would have liked to do. However, I did participate in the "virtual blitz" which entailed the use of social media, Facebook, Twitter, (and I even used Pinterest!) to spread the word about the summer meal programs for children 18 and younger in CT.
What I learned is that participation in this program is vital to is existence. Federal funding may be pulled for next year if we do not get a better turn out for this meal program. It i
s vital for the program, and for the children and families to take advantage. Families who during the school year rely on free and reduced lunches, often turn to he food pantry during the summer to feed their family, but the food banks do not necessarily have the supplies to sustain the increase in consumption. With education and awareness, families could take advantage of this program. The best avenue for me to spread the word, and where I think I could be most useful, is through social media. Some of my "friends" on Facebook are local news anchors, and I have "liked" many pages about CT and others localities where you can post about happenings. Utilizing these avenues, it would be my goal to remind those in the media to get the word out to the public about the program throughout the summer...not just now...but throughout the summer.
