The following is a message from Share Our Strength
Bryan Voltaggio, VOLT Restaurant chef and owner, presented Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley with Share Our Strength's 2011 Humanitarian of the Year Award on Sunday for his leadership in working to end childhood hunger in Maryland at a ceremony before more than 500 national and state anti-hunger advocates, government leaders, corporate partners, chefs and restaurateurs on Sunday in Baltimore.
"With so many of the country's leading anti-hunger advocates in the audience, it's a particular honor to be presented this award for our work in Maryland," said Governor O'Malley at the awards ceremony. "Together, with Share Our Strength and the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland, we can and will continue the fight to end childhood hunger in our state and serve as a model for efforts across the nation."
"I've been a proud supporter of Share Our Strength for many years and am especially honored to be presenting this award to Governor O'Malley for his commitment to end childhood hunger in my home state of Maryland," said Bryan Voltaggio.
More than 243,000 children in Maryland are at risk of hunger. Governor O'Malley's leadership and involvement in the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland, which is part of Share Our Strength's national No Kid Hungry® Campaign, has helped to increase participation in federal food and nutrition programs such as school breakfast and summer meals that surround kids with healthy food where they live, learn and play.
"Governor O'Malley's leadership has shown that working together, we have the resources and programs that can help make sure no child goes hungry in Maryland and across the country," said Bill Shore, chairman and CEO of Share Our Strength. "Our focus is on long-term change, the difference between feeding a child today and making sure no child in the U.S. ever goes hungry again and with the Governor's support, Maryland is leading the way."
In 2008, Governor O'Malley became the first governor to announce a commitment to ending childhood hunger, and established a partnership with Share Our Strength. Led by the Governor's Office for Children and Share Our Strength, the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland has built a powerful coalition of public, private, and nonprofit organizations including state agencies, the USDA, local nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and corporate leaders who have worked together since 2008 to create a five year plan for ending childhood hunger in Maryland.
"The Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland, with the support of Governor O'Malley and the Governor's Office for Children, is breaking down barriers that keep kids from getting nutritious meals during school, after school and in the summer," said Share Our Strength Maryland Director Anne Sheridan. "Thanks to the Governor's support and leadership, the Partnership has seen tremendous success."
The Summer Food Service Program, which serves healthy meals to kids during summer, in three years has seen a more than 27 percent increase in the number of meals served. School breakfast program participation in the state has also increase by 11 percent since 2008 and through the First Class Breakfast initiative, alternative breakfast delivery models, including Grab N' Go and Breakfast in the Classroom, in schools across the state.
Kevin Keegan, the president and CEO of the Family League of Baltimore City, also accepted the No Kid Hungry Leadership Award on behalf of the organization for their work to increase participation in summer and afterschool meal programs.
Share Our Strength's annual Conference of Leaders, which is taking place in Baltimore this year due in large part to the Maryland Partnership's success, brings together more than 500 thought leaders, advocates, school leaders, chefs, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations from across the country each year to discuss plans to end childhood hunger and celebrate successes.
For more information on Share Our Strength, go to www.Strength.org and go to www.NoKidHungryMD.org to learn more about the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland.
About Share Our Strength®
Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry® Campaign, Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved.
About the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland
Led by the Governor's Office for Children and Share Our Strength, the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland is a strong and growing coalition of state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups and the private sector. The Partnership is working together to implement a five year plan for ending childhood hunger by increasing participation in federal nutrition programs. More about the Partnership's plan and the statewide summer meals campaign is available at NoKidHungryMD.org.
