Growing up, my brother and I went to public school. We were pretty normal kids; we loved playing with our friends and running around at recess. And at lunchtime, we would eat hot meals like most of our classmates. Back then, I didn’t even think twice about the food we ate – I was just happy at school, learning, being a kid.
Now, as an adult, I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for those meals. My family relied on public assistance, and the meals I ate at school were part of the free school lunch program – which provides free breakfast and lunch to students from low-income families.
With those meals, my brother and I had the nourishment and energy to get through our day of learning and playing, and do all the things healthy kids get to do. And that food supported my growth outside school, too. Being fed and healthy helped fuel my involvement in theater and the arts as a kid, which fostered my love for acting.
Now that I have children of my own, the first thing I worry about is making sure they are provided for and that they are fed and nourished. I can only imagine the relief my parents felt, knowing my siblings and I had access to meals at school. Every day, parents are there for their children – to celebrate their successes and support them on their journeys – and no parent should have to worry about where their children’s next meal is going to come from.
I’m proud to support Feeding America – because I believe in a world without food insecurity. I believe in a world where kids have food on their plates and full stomachs. Where children thrive and grow and do amazing things – with food to fuel every moment of laughter, discovery and success.
Scarlett and Feeding America recently launched a new public service announcement designed to raise awareness of hunger in the United States. Watch it here.
