Make a REAL Difference
In September 2018, the WRF announced its multi-year partnership
with up with Feeding Wisconsin to help feed hungry children throughout the
state. Feeding
Wisconsin is the statewide association of the Feeding America food banks that
sources, warehouses and provides food to over 750 affiliated agencies and 1,000
local food programs throughout the state. Every year, the Feeding Wisconsin
network of food banks, affiliated food pantries and meal programs provides almost 60 million meals to nearly 580,000 people statewide — nearly 33 percent
of those meal recipients are children.
More
than 182,000
Wisconsin children face hunger each day. That’s one in six Wisconsin children.
While
hunger is harmful to everyone, it can be especially devastating to children
because of its potential for long-term consequences. Good nutrition, particularly
during the first three years of life, is important for establishing a solid
foundation for a child to thrive in terms of future physical and mental health,
academic achievement and economic productivity. Hunger threatens this critical
development and, in turn, threatens a child’s opportunity to prosper in the
future.
Households
with children are at a greater risk because the greater household size
increases budgetary constraints.
“REALTORS® are already known for being charitable and involved in their own communities individually. Collectively, we can do so much more for children in the state. Partnering with an organization like Feeding Wisconsin means we can reach children in every corner of the state. There are hungry children in every community, and there are REALTORS®, in every community who can help.” — Mike Spranger, WRF Chairman
WRA members and affiliates contributed 181,146 meals in 2018. But with 182,000 Wisconsin children facing hunger each day, there's a long way to go before we can make a real difference.