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Imagine sitting in school and trying to focus on learning, but you are hungry. This is the reality that many children face today in northeast Ohio. Numerous studies show that when children attend school with full stomachs, they are better able to focus in the classroom. Teachers see hunger in their classrooms every day and are trying to find ways to combat it with their own resources. We knew that more could be done and thus our Birdie Bag Program began.
9 Meals
6 Snacks
1 travel size toiletry kit (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and toothpaste)
1 toothbrush (every 3 months)
The bags are packed, put into bins and delivered to participating schools in the area. Recipients of the Birdie Bag Program remain anonymous, as teachers put the bags in students’ lockers during an elective period such as music, physical education or art. No child is turned away. If a teacher lets the liaison in their school know, the child is added to the list of recipients.
2003 British Open Champion Ben Curtis and his wife, Candace, started the Ben Curtis Family Foundation in 2013, with a mission to help alleviate childhood hunger. In 2013, our Birdie Bag Program served one school, sending home 130 Birdie Bags with hungry children. We currently serve 12 schools, sending home over 2,600 Birdie Bags with those in need. To date, we’ve sent home over 60,000 Birdie Bags!
With the help and generosity of many supporters, our fundraising has allowed us to extend our reach of the Birdie Bag Program. In the future, we hope to support all students in need in our local and surrounding school districts. Your generosity helps to change the lives of the children and families we serve.
The Ben Curtis Family Foundation packs Birdie Bags once a month with the help of many volunteers. View our full calendar of upcoming events.
We currently serve children and families in Kent, Ravenna and Barberton school districts, with the goal of expanding our service area. The following schools currently implement the Birdie Bag Program:
We host an annual fun run and 5K race to run childhood hunger out of existence. You can make a difference in the lives of these kids when you support the Ben Curtis Family Foundation by joining us for our this event. We hope to see you at the finish line! Click to Volunteer at […]
