Governor Bullock Announces Montana No Kid Hungry AmeriCorps Program

Governor Steve Bullock today announced that Montana No Kid Hungry http://www.mt.nokidhungry.org has been awarded $65,000 from the Montana Commission on Community Service to place AmeriCorps members in five communities across Montana to help alleviate childhood hunger.

In Montana, one in five children struggle with hunger. Through the Montana No Kid Hungry AmeriCorps Program, members will leverage No Kid Hungry efforts by working with local school-based leaders and stakeholders to increase participation in school breakfast programs.

"Through hands-on service, members will be able to provide on the ground support to serve a greater number of kids and make a significant impact with available resources," said Governor Steve Bullock. "I am proud to announce this program that will put us one step closer to ensuring that no child goes hungry in Montana."

Research shows that alternative breakfast models, such as Breakfast in the Classroom and Grab n’ Go, increase participation by 75 percent and provide children with a meal they need to start the day. On average, students who eat breakfast perform 17.5 percent higher on mathematics standardized tests, are more likely to attend more days of school, and therefore, are more likely to graduate high school.

In addition to increasing participation in school breakfast, Montana No Kid Hungry AmeriCorps members will help build new and existing childhood hunger coalitions, conduct surveys on current school nutrition programs, increase awareness of childhood hunger in the community, and organize and participate in service projects.

AmeriCorps members will be placed in Billings, Great Falls, Missoula, Kalispell and Helena. Members will begin their service in fall 2014 and serve through the school year.

If you are interested in applying to serve with Montana No Kid Hungry AmeriCorps or host a member at your organization, please visit http://www.mt.nokidhungry.org.

The Governor’s Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service and emergency preparedness.