Share Our Strength

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Share Our Strength horizontal logo

Share Our Strength is a national nonprofit organization working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. Founded in 1984 by siblings Billy Shore and Debbie Shore, the organization's mission is to end hunger and poverty by mobilizing industries and individuals, and creating community wealth to promote lasting change. They achieve this through a mix of direct-action, fundraising campaigns, grant-making, and advocacy to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.

History

Share Our Strength was established in response to the 1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia. Moved by the famine's devastation, the Shore siblings aimed to create an organization that could raise funds and awareness to combat hunger and poverty. The organization's name, "Share Our Strength," reflects its founding principle that everyone has a strength to share in the fight against hunger and poverty, whether it's cooking skills, time to volunteer, or financial resources.

Programs

Share Our Strength operates several key programs to combat hunger and poverty:

• No Kid Hungry: Launched in 2010, this campaign aims to end childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need every day. It focuses on improving access to school breakfast, summer meals, and afterschool snacks and meals.
• Cooking Matters: This program teaches families at risk of hunger how to get more food for their money and better nourishment from those foods. Professional chefs and nutritionists volunteer to provide hands-on meal preparation, grocery shopping, and nutrition education.
• Community Wealth Partners: A subsidiary of Share Our Strength, this organization works with nonprofits and foundations to create strategies and implement solutions that drive social change and address poverty at its roots.

Impact

Share Our Strength has made significant strides in reducing hunger and poverty. Through the No Kid Hungry campaign, millions of additional school breakfasts and summer meals have been served to children in need. Cooking Matters has helped thousands of families learn to shop and cook healthier meals on a budget, improving their food security and nutrition.

Fundraising and Support

The organization raises funds through a variety of means, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and special events. One of its most notable fundraising events is Taste of the Nation, a culinary event featuring top chefs and mixologists that raises funds for No Kid Hungry.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its successes, Share Our Strength faces challenges such as the ever-changing landscape of poverty and food insecurity, and the need for sustained funding to support its programs. Criticisms have been minimal but include discussions on the effectiveness of charity versus systemic change to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.

See Also

• Food security
• Poverty in the United States
• Child nutrition
• Nonprofit organization