Helpful Information and Ideas to Plan Your Screening

Key Messages

* Families who struggle with hunger are not alone. There are ways to get help, and many people who care.

* Talking about hunger helps others learn about the problem.

* Helping others is a great way to find strength as a family.

AbouT Food For THougHT: Growing Hope Against Hunger is part of Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget, a Sesame Workshop bilingual, multimedia outreach initiative produced with funding from and in partnership with UnitedHealthcare and the Merck Foundation. Food for Thought is designed to help support families who have children between the ages of two and eight and are coping with uncertain or limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

“Sesame Street®,” “Sesame Workshop®,” and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. Photo: Jennifer Rupnik sesamestreet.org/food

Guide for Community SCreeninG HoStS

Hello!

Made possible by the generous support ofA creation of

dear Screening Host,Welcome! Thank you for hosting a screening of Growing Hope Against Hunger. Sesame Street has created this special in support of children and their families who are impacted by the struggle with hunger. The special shows how everyone can work together to help.

What You Will SeeIn this special, Elmo and Rosita meet Lily. Like many others, Lily’s family doesn’t always have enough to eat. Along with Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams Paisley, the Sesame Street friends learn how to help. Together, they collect food at a food drive. They lend a hand at a community garden. Above all, they offer others hope and friendship. Through this story and two new songs, families will see that small actions can make a big difference.

Who should take part in this event?Anyone can learn from this event. Families who face limited food choices will find hope and ideas that can help. Others will learn how they can offer support. You can even invite other organizations to display and hand out information.

Talk About ItAfTer your ScreeninG, Help fAmilieS connecT. ASk:

* What did Lily and her family do to get enough food?

* What did the Sesame friends do to help?

* How can your family make a difference to others in your community?

Take It HomeAfTer your ScreeninG, Help fAmilieS TAke THe ideAS Home:

* Give out copies of the Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget outreach kits, Family Tip Sheet, and Family Activity Sheet.

* Let families know that they can learn more at sesamestreet.org/food.

“Sesame Street®,” “Sesame Workshop®,” and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. sesamestreet.org/food

Hello Families!Sesame Street has created Growing Hope Against Hunger

in an effort to provide support for and communicate strategies

to families with children who struggle with hunger. The tips

on this page can help your family eat healthfully, save money,

and grow closer together.

* PrActice HeAltHy HAbits. Even small changes to your routines can make a difference in your family’s health. Try to eat a nutritious breakfast. On the go, pack sliced fruits or vegetables to snack on. Each day, try to drink more water.

* stretcH your dollAr. Use grocery store sales to stock up on items such as whole-grain cereals and whole-wheat bread and flour. Whole grains give you more health value for your money.

* tAlk witH your cHildren About tHeir concerns. Encourage children to tell you how they are feeling. Let children know what is happening and reassure them that you are doing everything you can to provide food for your family. Sometimes children’s questions might be hard to answer. It’s all right if you don’t have all the answers. Just checking in with children lets them know that you’re there for them.

* MAke (And sHAre!) A MeAl. Ask children to help plan a meal. Choose healthy foods your family likes, or try a new anytime food. When you’re ready to cook, give children fun and simple jobs to do in the kitchen. Children can measure, pour, and stir. Enjoy your meal together as a family.

family tips

Produced in partnership with and funded byA creation of

“Sesame Street®,” “Sesame Workshop®,” and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. sesamestreet.org/food

Making ConnectionsIt may be hard to ask for help, but there are services that can assist your family. These include free food, nutrition information, and referrals to social service agencies. These resources can help you find support.

* tHe nAtionAl wic AssociAtion (NWA) is 9 million WIC clients and 12,200 state and local service provider agencies offering nutritious foods, nutrition and breastfeeding education, and health and social service referrals to WIC mothers and young children. Visit www.nwica.org.

* suPPleMentAl nutrition AssistAnce ProGrAM (SNAP) is the federal government’s food stamp program. Visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

* FeedinG AMericA is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, with a network of food banks whose focus is to provide food assistance to those who need it. Visit www.feedingamerica.org.

* tHe MeAls on wHeels AssociAtion oF AMericA’s member programs feed those who are 60 years of age and older and those in need. MOWAA’s vision is to end senior hunger by 2020. Visit www.mowaa.org.

* In the nAtionAl scHool luncH ProGrAM, children in grades K–12 can get free or lower-price lunches at school. Some schools also serve breakfast, after-school snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and summer meals. Ask someone at your child’s school office to apply, or visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd.

Share Your Strength You can be a resource to people in your community and your family. Helping others is a great way to feel good together and remember just how strong all of you are.

* sHAre your story. Talk to other families about what you are going through. Sometimes talking about tough times can help relieve stress or can spark ideas and solutions.

* Volunteer. We all can give a helping hand and show how much we care. Start close to home by asking about opportunities through local schools, community centers, or faith-based organizations. Visit the following websites to find more ways you can donate your time.

FeedinG AMericA is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, with a network of food banks whose focus is to provide food assistance to those who need it. Visit www.feedingamerica.org.

tHe MeAls on wHeels AssociAtion oF AMericA’s member programs feed those who are 60 years of age and older and those in need. MOWAA’s vision is to end senior hunger by 2020. Visit www.mowaa.org.

serVe.GoV is an online resource for not only finding volunteer opportunities in your community, but also creating your own. America’s foundation will be built one community at a time — and it starts with you. Visit www.serve.gov.

For more tips and ideas, visit sesamestreet.org/food.

family tips

Produced in partnership with and funded byA creation of

A Healthy SaladRosita and Elmo just picked and washed these fruits and vegetables from the community garden. Using a crayon, circle the fruits or vegetables you would like to include in this special healthy salad. It’s okay to mix fruits and vegetables — grapes and apples are delicious with lettuce in a salad! Ask, “What green vegetable are you going to put in? How about a red fruit?”

orange

tomato

pear

avocado

lettuce

cucumber

carrots

apple

“Sesame Street®,” “Sesame Workshop®,” and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. sesamestreet.org/food

Children’s ACtivity

Made possible by the generous support ofA creation of

“Sesame Street®,” “Sesame Workshop®,” and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. sesamestreet.org/food

Children’s ACtivity

Helping HandsErnie, Ernestine, and Bert are making hand pictures. You can do so many things with your hands, such as draw, write, clap, eat — and help!

Trace your hand onto this page. Use your imagination to decorate it anyway you like.

Think about a way you have helped someone or how someone has helped you. Ask a grown-up to help you write about it here or on another sheet of paper.

Made possible by the generous support ofA creation of Made possible by the generous support ofA creation of