Seed the Need's first community initiative will be donating hygiene kits and weekend backpack meals to student participants in the After-School All-Stars program in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C. 

Creating more diversity in healthcare begins by giving children the opportunity to realize their full potential right from the start. This includes making sure they are properly nourished. Children who do not receive enough nutrients run the risk of developing certain health problems such as iron deficiency, which can result in problems paying attention in school. It can interfere with their thought processes and even affect their behavior, which unfortunately can mark the end of a career in healthcare way before it even began.

Sadly, lack of hygiene is also often paired with poverty, and this reality not only impacts an individual’s confidence, but may also bring additional challenges for students. Poor hygiene can lead to low self-esteem from being bullied/rejected by peers, heighted anxiety, and behavioral problems; inevitably impacting their academic progress and potential. Through your donation, you will be contributing to the improvement of confidence in these students and prevent stunted potential, by providing the essential access to products that everyone
deserves to have.

The students at ASAS often qualify for the Federal Free & Reduced Lunch program which provides both breakfast and lunch during the school week. Although during the after-school program, children receive a warm meal, they may not continue to receive the same support during the weekend or throughout school breaks. Everyone has the right to know where their next meal is coming from, but childhood food insecurity can have exceptional consequences such as inadequate nutrition that can drastically impact their overall health and capabilities.

Through these donations that included nutritious, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and beverages, you will be able to give back to children who may  be experiencing food insecurity at home. Please join us in our values of community engagement and investment in underserved communities by donating to the After-School All-Stars Weekend Backpack Meals and Hygiene Kits. You will be helping children in the Franklin County area. In 2017, 3 quarters of Franklin County public schools were given failing grades for closing the gap “between students of varying incomes, backgrounds, and abilities”.

Your gift will be used in an area where it is greatly needed.