At the Ben Curtis Family Foundation, we believe that no child should go hungry. Through our Birdie Bag Program, we offer a low-barrier solution to food insecurity, ensuring every child in need receives support quickly and without complications. With the help of dedicated school champions—teachers, counselors, and staff—we’re making a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families, one meal at a time.
No Barriers
At the Ben Curtis Family Foundation, our mission is to empower every child facing hardships and equip them with the necessary support to access reliable food. A vital part of our Birdie Bag Program is facilitating a low-barrier program for any child facing food insecurity. Hunger is hard enough—getting help shouldn’t be.
Our low-barrier program offers an effortless way for children to receive support. Unlike high-barrier programs, which often require families to meet strict eligibility criteria, complete extensive paperwork, and wait through long approval periods, our approach guarantees that every child in need receives support without delays or complications.
The Importance of School Champions
One of the leading supports for our Birdie Bag Program and A Very Merry Dinner is the help of trusted individuals in our local schools. Teachers, counselors, and staff play a vital role in identifying children in need and ensuring they have reliable access to food. At the heart of our mission, our lead champions within each school do more than just show up—they foster meaningful relationships with the students and their families. These dedicated leaders create an unobtrusive bridge between the students and the essential resources they need.
School staff are one of the first lines of defense when noticing a child struggling with food insecurity—the relationships between students and staff are essential in identifying these subtle signs.
According to Feeding America, the following are signs of food insecurity among children:
- Asking about food daily and are not picky about what they eat.
- Suddenly losing or gaining weight but don’t change their activity level.
- Hoarding snacks and food.
- Bullying others or behaving badly.
- Having a poor attention span, memory, or trouble concentrating.
- Hyperactive or impulsive behaviors.
- Showing aggressive or antisocial behaviors.
We appreciate all that our school champions do, and we value our visits with them to provide the resources and training needed to support their students.
Every Child Deserves A Full Plate
Food insecurity among children is a pressing issue, but together we can make a difference. Our ability to serve so many children and offer our low-barrier program is made possible by the generosity of our community and school champions. You may be asking yourself, “How can I help?” We work closely with individuals in the community to provide meals and snacks, and your support will go a long way.
Did you know that just $5 can feed a child for the weekend? A small contribution can leave a lasting impact on a child’s well-being and show them that their community cares.
Become a Champion
Do you want to get involved in the fight against the childhood hunger in Northeast Ohio?
Get in touch with our team. We are always in need of volunteers, donors, sponsors and community partners to help us fulfill our mission of alleviating child hunger in our community.
