header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 7
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater


The Good Long Road | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer
| Saturday, Aug 31, 2013

JenniferFischerI can’t believe the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley are almost at an end – just Y and Z remain. Any guesses on what they’ll be? You’ll have to wait until next Saturday to see. I’m pausing this week to share a special challenge with you.

With August drawing to a close and September just a day away (or already here, depending on when you’re reading), I had to take this moment to spread the word that September is Hunger Action Month.

If you’ve read my commentaries consistently, you’ve probably noticed that hunger is something I’ve discussed before. Or if you read my blog, The Good Long Road, you know this, as well. Last year I turned my blog “orange” for Hunger Action Month and shared many posts to raise awareness about hunger in the United States, including in our local community, and about ways individuals, families and kids could get involved during Hunger Action Month.

MomsFightingHungerThis September I’ll be doing the same thing and have decided that one part of my awareness and fundraising will occur in the form of a coffee can challenge, partially inspired by my younger self.

Last year, Chalice Press published the book, “It’s Not All About You: Young Adults Seeking Justice,” edited by Julie Richardson Brown and Courtney Richards. I contributed a chapter, which opened with a simple question: “Can an empty coffee can change the world?” I recount a story from my childhood in which I dumped the coffee grounds from a coffee can all over the kitchen floor so I could take the now-empty coffee can door-to-door in my neighborhood to collect money for children who were starving, halfway around the world.

MomsFightingHungerinAction

Click images to enlarge

This time, I am using a coffee can that has long been empty of coffee grounds, which I actually put in my coffee maker. What I’ve decided to do for the month of September is take an empty coffee can with me everywhere I go and put all of my spare change in it throughout the month. The can is wrapped in paper that has the “No Kid Hungry” logo on it.

Perhaps as I do this (and maybe look a tad odd), others will ask about the can or notice it and decide to add some of their spare change, as well. It will be interesting for me to see how much I can raise with simply spare change in just one month – 30 days.

There’s certainly a need. Tuesday, No Kid Hungry released a report from a survey they conducted of 1,000 teachers and principals. Seventy-three percent of teachers reported they had taught students who routinely came to school hungry, as did 87 percent of principals.

HungryCaterpillarFoodHuntMany found the report shocking. As someone who has been involved in education through after-school programs for many years, I did not.

The coffee can challenge will be just one of the many things I plan to do in September to raise awareness and funds. I hope you’ll be inspired to do something, too. (Note: It doesn’t have to be monetary. Sharing a Facebook status or Tweeting a fact that raises awareness makes a big difference.)

benjimommyorangeIf you check out my blog in September, look for posts with ideas and calls to action around hunger, and remember that right here in the Santa Clarita Valley there are families and individuals in need, and there are many ways to help them, particularly through Help the Children or the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry.

And if you happen to see me around town with my coffee can, I hope you’ll be able to spare some change. Who knows? Maybe I’ll decide to make this an ongoing thing and just select a different cause each month. I’m not sure where this particularly coffee can challenge will lead me. I only know the coffee-can experience from my childhood demonstrated a desire that has stuck – a desire always to help others – and a belief that stuck, too: a belief that it is possible to end hunger.

I’d love for you to pop over to The Good Long Road on Facebook and share your thoughts and ideas related to Hunger Action Month. Go Orange!

 

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.

 

fall bucket list goes orange

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Sharon Blair Scott says:

    I would add #GrandmothersFightHunger as I will be one in March, 2013

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Monday, Nov 4, 2024
As the winter season approaches, that means one thing, the holidays are on their way. Here in Santa Clarita, our community comes alive with the festive spirit, making it the perfect time to discover and support our local businesses.
Monday, Nov 4, 2024
Propositions, ballot measures, judges, City Councilmembers, state assembly, Congress, Senate and of course, the President—as Tuesday, Nov. 5 approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Friday, Nov 1, 2024
The joyful sounds of Christmas cheer, the cool crisp fall air and the sight of brilliantly colored lights reflecting off the nearby buildings bring the ultimate holiday atmosphere to Old Town Newhall during Light Up Main Street.
Thursday, Oct 31, 2024
Tonight is Halloween, and I can already feel the hullabaloo as children prepare to put on their costumes and head out for a fun evening of trick-or-treating.
Monday, Oct 28, 2024
Whether its spending time with family and friends, flipping the switch for our annual Light Up Main Street event in Old Town Newhall or enjoying the cooler weather – there’s so much community fun to be had this season, including a new, unique holiday experience.
Thursday, Oct 24, 2024
During this fall season, our city has launched the third annual Hiking Challenge–just another way to encourage our community to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Parents and caregivers are invited to Empowered Families Workshops hosted by the Child & Family Center’s Prevention and Outreach team in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church of Newhall beginning 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 with a workshop on Social Media and mental health.
Nov. 10: Child & Family Center, First Presbyterian Church Collab for Workshops
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. has announced that it was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to add new services that will include substance use disorder treatment programs.
Samuel Dixon Awarded 1.1 Million Grant for SUD Program
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will host its annual holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater
The closest race of the election is for Santa Clarita City Council. Patsy Ayala was leading Tim Burkhart by 37 votes at the close of business Wednesday, 3,219 to 3,182. More absentee ballots remain to be counted.
Local Election Results as of Wednesday Evening
Due to projected power shutoffs related to the current wind advisory, the Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy location, will be closed for in-person services beginning 5 pm Wednesday
Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy Location Closes Due to Power Shutoffs
Beginning Wednesday, November 13, crews will begin the construction of median modifications, paving, grinding and overlay operations along portions of McBean Parkway at Newhall Ranch Road.
Upcoming Lane Closures on McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road
The California Highway Patrol is proud to announce it received a $350,000 grant to address the growing issue of distracted driving on California roads.  
CHP Receives Grant to Combat Adult Distracted Driving in California
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation has once again recognized the city of Santa Clarita as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 "Most Business-Friendly City" award in the category of large cities (population over 60,000).
City of Santa Clarita Named 2024 Most Business-Friendly City Finalist
The County of Los Angeles is experiencing critical fire weather and is under a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag advisory from now until Friday evening. .
Animal Care and Control Urges Emergency Pet Preparedness
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Notice of Funding Availability and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant funding.
Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2025-2026 Funding Cycle
California State University, Northridge’s CSUN-al Gardening series returns this month just in time to prepare for fall planting.
CSUN-al Garden Class to Get Ready for Fall Planting
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath
Supes Support Expansion of Tax Credit Program for Entertainment Sector
Local educational performing arts charity Mission Opera, together with Oksana Foundation and Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant, is excited to announce “Bella Notte,” a new monthly event starting this Fall that blends the worlds of Italian fine dining, live opera, and community support.
Nov. 23: “Bella Notte” Italian Night Comes to Santa Clarita
For the fourth year in a row, California State University, Northridge has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
CSUN Named a Fulbright HSI Leader For a Fourth Year in a Row
Thompson Von Tungeln Trust and Estate Lawyers will host a free successor trustee training workshop on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, Calif. 91355.
Nov. 9: Free Successor Trustee Training Workshop
No. 12 College of the Canyons football scored 24 points, highlighted by a 95-yard kickoff return from sophomore Da'Marrie Smith, in what turned out to be a decisive second quarter to outlast visiting Moorpark College 27-21 on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Cougar Stadium.
No. 12 Canyons Outlasts Moorpark College 27-21
Unofficial election results for the 2024 General Election as of Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 11:21 p.m.
2024 General Election Santa Clarita Races
1976 - Horse turds and peace pipes: Acton Turkey War with AM radio jock Dick Whittington ends in a draw [story]
Turkey war
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has announced a newly-formed partnership with California Institute of the Arts and its Basic Needs Center.
SCV Food Pantry Partnership with CalArts to Feed Students
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management are on high alert in anticipation of strong, high-speed winds and dangerous fire weather conditions that will impact the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County late Tuesday night through at least Thursday afternoon.
County Urges SCV Residents to Prepare for High Winds, Fire Weather
For the fourth consecutive time, the College of the Canyons Contracts, Procurement and Risk Management department received a 2024 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc.
COC Purchasing Department Receives 2024 National Procurement Institute Award
SCVNews.com