During these unprecedented times, the world could use a little more kindness. Whether it’s something small like holding a door open, picking up one piece of litter a day, or something bigger like donating your time or money to a charity, there are many ways we can put kindness back into the world. If you’re looking to spread a little kindness, Random Act of Kindness Week is February 14th-20th. Here are a few different organizations that are spreading kindness and how you can get involved.
American Heart Association
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year – that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
“A growing number of studies suggest that many COVID-19 survivors experience some type of heart damage, even if they didn’t have underlying heart disease and weren’t sick enough to be hospitalized.”
Denver Colorado – 26.2 percent of Colorado teens, use e-cigarettes and leads the country in teen e-cigarette use. This is nearly twice the average rate.
Beyond Differences: No One Eats Alone Day (February 12th)
Every year, the No One Eats Alone Initiative is run by Beyond Differences.
This initiative teaches students how to make friends and create a culture of belonging.
This day includes a series of games, ice breakers and celebrates the importance of friendship and belonging in a school setting.
So many different organizations are involved in this special day, but Centene is one of the leading sponsors of this day, and NYS Healthcare Organization Fidelis Care is one of the many healthcare organizations that help orchestrate these workshops.
They posted last year about the day, and you could tell people to look out for more tweets from Fidelis Care for more information as the day comes closer.
Feeding America
Due to the state of the pandemic and its effect on the economy, many people are suffering and out of work.
“Due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 50 million people may experience food insecurity, including a potential 17 million children.
According to the USDA’s latest Household Food Insecurity in the United States report, more than 35 million people in the United States struggled with hunger in 2019.
In 2018, 14.3 million American households were food insecure with limited or uncertain access to enough food.
Households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity. Before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 10 million children live in food-insecure households.
Every community in the country is home to families who struggle with food insecurity including rural and suburban communities.
Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support.
Who goes hungry?
Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Many Americans are one job loss or medical crisis away from food insecurity – but some people, including children and seniors, may be at greater risk of hunger than others.
Children facing hunger tend to grow up in a family where a parent or parents also face hunger.
A family of four facing hunger may need additional meals a month simply because they don’t have money to buy enough food.
84% of households Feeding America serves report buying the cheapest food — instead of healthy food — in order to provide enough to eat.
25% of children in households at risk of hunger may be forced to rely exclusively on hunger relief charities like Feeding America to make ends meet.
What happens when a child faces hunger?
Kids who don’t get enough to eat — especially during their first three years — begin life at a serious disadvantage. When they’re hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized and they face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up, kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations. Children facing hunger may struggle in school — and beyond. They are more likely to:
Repeat a grade in elementary school
Experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills
Have more social and behavioral problems
The Feeding America network serves more than 12 million children in America. In addition to accessing food through traditional food pantries, the Feeding America network also offers specialized programs to help kids get the food they need when they need it most.
For every dollar donated, the Feeding America network of food banks secures and distributes 10 meals to people facing hunger — including children. You can donate here.
What To Read Next:
50 Awe-Inspiring Acts of Kindness For Kids: Fun Empathy Activities That Teach Kids To Be Kind
Positive Affirmations: 36 Positive Things to Say to Your Kids Every Day
