Girls for a Change
One of the things I genuinely enjoy about owning Eat Smart is that I get to meet amazing people doing amazing things in our city. Even better is that we get to be involved in some of the projects these amazing people are working on.
Last spring I was introduced to Angela Patton of Girls for a Change (GFAC).
GIRLS FOR A CHANGE’S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT BLACK GIRLS AND OTHER GIRLS OF COLOR AND INSPIRE THEM TO VISUALIZE THEIR BRIGHT FUTURES AND POTENTIAL THROUGH DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL CHANGE INNOVATION IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
See, awesome.
One of the programs GFAC offers is Camp Diva. This summer camp is for girls in 1st- 12th grade, and includes a ton of amazing programming. There’s the usual camp stuff like swimming and time outdoors, and then there’s STEAM education. One of the most powerful things about the camp is that they work through issues in our city and our nation. They talk about how it makes them feel and what they can do. Pretty powerful stuff.
Angela is not only passionate about supporting black girls, she is passionate about healthy eating. Herself a vegan (!), Angela was looking for a little help in exposing her Divas to well-balanced, nutritious food. Tommy and I were thrilled to donate lunch every Monday to the young ladies of Camp Diva. We had some hits – chicken adobo, taco salads, and some definite misses (there were some tears over broccoli). Overall it was a really fun experience –which is why we will be donating lunches on Mondays again this summer. Angela’s way of handling the ladies and coaxing them to at least try new foods is pretty inspiring.
This summer we’ve decided to take it a step further. Parents will have the option to purchase four days of meals each week from Eat Smart. That said, Angela’s ladies are from a variety of economic backgrounds. It’s one of the things that makes her camp so unique. Campers are able to apply for financial assistance, and Angela makes camp a reality for a lot of families who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity.
Angela has named the program “Girls Gotta Eat.” So, since it’s true, a girl’s gotta eat, we are asking you to help sponsor summer lunches.
When school lets out, millions of low-income children lose access to the school breakfasts, lunches and afterschool snacks. Her Girls Gotta Eat program will help fill this gap by providing free meals and snacks to girls who may not have a healthy meal or snack, or who might otherwise go hungry. Access to healthy food matters.
If you would like to feed a hungry camper this summer, you can do so by making a donation to Girls for a Change.
For $8 you can provide lunch for a camper for a day.
$35 will provide lunch (and help with snacks) to a camper for a week.
$150 provides lunch (and help with snacks) for a month.
$315 provides lunch (and help with snacks) for the entire summer.
To donate, click here:
Please designate your donation to Girls Gotta Eat so it will be earmarked for this special program. Your donation is tax deductible – so please hang onto your receipt for next year’s tax season.
Thank you so much! I will give you updates over the summer to let you know how things are going.