Tag Archives: sponsors

Children Incorporated |

Hunger is defined by not having enough food to meet daily energy and nutritional needs. It is a problem that most often affects low-income families, because living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter.

In order for a child to have a chance at a bright future, they need to eat healthy meals every day. When they’re hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized, and they face a higher risk of health conditions because they have weakened immune systems. A brain starved of vital nutrients is one that can’t concentrate, setting hungry kids up for failure in school.

Without enough food or proper nutrition, kids face a variety of setbacks that can derail their path out of poverty.

Even those who survive face lifelong consequences. Malnutrition can cause permanent damage to brain development and weaken the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to disease. From developing countries to the United States, children and families don’t always have enough to eat.

Global hunger has declined significantly since the 1970s, when roughly one in four people experienced hunger. But the crisis is far from over.

How does poverty affect world hunger for kids?

Worldwide Child Hunger Facts

  • Every year up to two million children die each year due to poor nutrition
  • Approximately 645 million people worldwide experienced hunger in 2025, or 7.8% of the global population.
  • Approximately 28% of all children in developing countries are considered to be underweight, or have had their growth stunted as a result of malnutrition
  • Worldwide, malnutrition causes nearly half of child deaths worldwide, yet most kids go untreated.

 

National child hunger facts

  • 6.7 million households with children were food insecure in 2024, representing 18.4% of households with children.
  • 85% of counties with the highest food insecurity are rural.
  • Nearly 9 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South, indicating regional disparities.
  • In 2024, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. households with children experienced food insecurity.

What Children Incorporated does to alleviate hunger for children

Children Incorporated provides basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, and educational support to children living in poverty in the United States and abroad through our child sponsorship program. These essentials are vital to a child’s growth and success in school. We also assist feeding programs in the United States and internationally that ensure that children are receiving meals during the week, and that they are provided with food to take home on the weekends. Additionally, we make contributions toward school gardens so that children living in poverty have the opportunity to obtain fresh, nutritious food, which they would likely otherwise go without.

How you can help

Although there are positive improvements in international food insecurity (global hunger actually declined in 2025!), there still needs to be significant effort for us to reach those in the greatest need. And the improvement is not universal. Africa continues to face particularly severe challenges, and the 2025 report found that roughly 307 million people in Africa: about 20% of the continent’s population were food insecure.

HOW DO SPECIAL FUNDS HELP?

Recently, under the direction of our CEO Liz Collins, and because of your ongoing donations, Children Incorporated has been able to send a grant of $25 per child in our program as an immediate response. The scope of this assistance is powerful, it allows swift response to those who need it the most within all of our affiliated sites.

A gift to our Hope in Action or our Feeding Program will allow us to continue addressing basic food needs during this urgent time, alleviating stress for the families affiliated with our program. Many areas in the U.S and around the world do not have access to food banks due to their location, so established organizations and schools fill in the gaps. These resources rely almost solely on donations and local government assistance to keep the shelves stocked. With the holidays approaching and the temperatures dropping, it is vital for us to make sure families know they are cared for and will not be facing food insecurity alone.

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WANT TO BE PART OF the worldwide solution?

-Donate to our Feeding Program today

-Sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

 

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References:

http://www.thp.org/knowledge-center/know-your-world-facts-about-hunger-poverty/

http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/child-hunger-facts.html

https://www.wfp.org/node/646670

http://www1.wfp.org/zero-hunger

https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are/hunger-facts

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-hunger-us

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Rachel Luginbuhl |

The holiday season is celebrated around the world in a vast array of different cultures and traditions. From the United States, to Kenya, to Sri Lanka, children of all ages anticipate festivities, and of course, presents. But the deep poverty that our sponsored children live in prevents them from having the experiences they should. Instead of anticipating what will be given, they are left to worry if there will be anything at all.

We are so thankful that we were able to give these children a special holiday, when they would’ve otherwise gone without any gifts at all.

When families are living in poverty, they are often unable to save money throughout the year for Christmas gifts for their children; instead, there are always bills to pay, food items to buy, or school fees to consider. There is not enough money to pay for everything and save at the same time. Thankfully, the children enrolled in our program have their sponsors and our volunteer coordinators to ensure that they receive new clothes, school supplies, food, educational games and toys — and sometimes even presents during the holidays — all things they would otherwise go without.

Most families inhabit concrete dwellings; but many others live in shacks fashioned from nipa palm shingles, bamboo, and cast-off boards. Amid this devastating poverty and its socioeconomic effects, the Visayans Community Center at Bliss serves as a beacon of hope. Founded by the local group Volunteer for the Visayans, the center is dedicated to facilitating community development, providing healthcare, and promoting education.

Our Volunteer Coordinator there, Helena, bought clothing, as well as groceries and grains, this past Christmas, thanks to donations from the children’s sponsors, to ensure that the kids in our program had a special Christmas. We are so thankful that we were able to give these children a special holiday, when they would’ve otherwise gone without any gifts at all.

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HOW DO I change the life of a child in need

If you would like to stand beside a child and help them see beyond their circumstances, we have many students still waiting for a sponsor. You can begin your sponsorship journey by:

SPONSOR A CHILD

Liz Collins |

Dear Friends,

The first day of school should be a day filled with excitement.

Most children lay out their new school clothes, organize their supplies, and wonder what their new teacher will be like. They dream about seeing friends again and moving up to the next grade. But, for children living in poverty, those feelings can be mixed with uncertainty. Will their backpack last another year? Will their shoes still fit? Will they have the supplies they need when classes begin?

Lacking these essentials, and not knowing the solution to provide them creates a ripple effect that lasts longer than most can imagine. No child should feel embarrassed, isolated, and unprepared. They should be free to focus on what their education is really about. Each school year marks another important step toward achieving their goals and building a brighter future.

Every school year is a step forward.

A step toward graduation.

A step toward new skills.

A step toward greater confidence.

A step toward opportunities that can change a child’s future.

And that’s why the Hope In Action Fund exists. By ensuring the essential items are available, you make sure children start the year with dignity and hope. But we can’t do it alone.

Last fall, one of our volunteer coordinators met a student who couldn’t stop smiling after receiving a new backpack and school supplies. As she packed her notebooks and pencils inside, she proudly told her coordinator she was “ready for school now.” It was a simple moment, but an important one.

Being ready for school isn’t just about having supplies. It’s about feeling confident. It’s about knowing you belong. It’s about walking into the classroom focused on learning and excited about what lies ahead. We believe every child deserves the chance to begin that journey feeling confident and prepared.

The Hope In Action Fund provides the essentials children need for a successful year, including school supplies, uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and other educational necessities. With your support, children will receive the resources they need to begin the school year with confidence and hope. Together, we can help ensure that students start the year prepared to learn, grow, and succeed.

As another school year begins, we invite you to help children take this important step forward. Together, we can ensure they have the tools, encouragement, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Today is a chance to make a difference

Through our Hope In Action Fund, children receive the resources they need to begin the school year with confidence and hope. Together, we can help ensure that students start the year prepared to learn, grow, and succeed.

Because a Fresh Start Shouldn’t Depend on What’s Missing

Sincerely,

Liz Collins, President of Children Incorporated

Want to PARTICIPATE in our Hope In Action fund?

Children Incorporated |

Five Things That Stood Out While Visiting Bolivia

 

For more than 30 years, I have visited Children Incorporated programs around the world, and each trip teaches me something new. This year’s visit to Bolivia reminded me just how resilient children and families can be.

Every visit to our international programs reminds me why Children Incorporated’s work matters.

Recently, I traveled throughout Bolivia to visit our partner schools and child care centers, meet with our volunteer coordinators, and spend time with the children and families we serve. While every community is unique, several themes stood out everywhere I went.

Here are five observations I’ll carry with me from this trip.

1. Families Are Working Harder Than Ever, But Life Has Become More Expensive

Wherever we traveled, one conversation kept coming up: the cost of everyday life has risen dramatically. Food, transportation, clothing, and school supplies all cost more than they did just a few years ago, while many families’ incomes have remained the same. Parents are working hard, but many still struggle to keep up with rising expenses.

It is still a real world issue, in some locations children must leave school at young ages to assist their parents in bringing in income. That’s one reason sponsorship is so important. It helps ease financial pressure and allows families to keep their children in school despite difficult circumstances.

2. Education Is Still Every Parent’s Greatest Hope

Whether I was visiting a preschool in Santa Cruz or a secondary school near Sucre, I heard the same dream from parents. They want their children to receive an education. Many families make tremendous sacrifices so their children can attend school because they know education creates opportunities that poverty cannot.

What impressed me most was seeing schools that not only provide traditional classroom learning but also vocational training in agriculture, computer science, robotics, garment making, and other practical skills that prepare students for future careers.

3. Sponsorship Does More Than Pay for School

When people think about child sponsorship, they often imagine school supplies or tuition; those things are certainly important. But, throughout Bolivia I saw sponsorship helping children receive nutritious food, uniforms, shoes, clothing, tutoring, and other assistance that allows them to stay healthy and continue learning.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

A new pair of shoes. A bag of groceries. Even a new bed. These tangible items mean the difference between growth or giving up.

4. Our Local volunteer Coordinators Know Every Family

One of the greatest strengths of Children Incorporated is something many sponsors never get to see, our volunteer coordinators. They voluntarily administer our program, allowing more of every donation to reach the children.  Throughout Bolivia I met dedicated educators, sisters, and community leaders who know the children and families personally. They spoke of the children not as numbers, but by name, sharing stories of families navigating hardship, of small victories, of urgent needs. They know where help is most needed and how to stretch each sponsorship dollar so that it truly changes a child’s daily life.

Their compassion, knowledge, and commitment allows our program to serve children so effectively. Even when travel was disrupted by severe weather or political demonstrations, coordinators continued communicating and caring for the children in their communities.

5. Hope Is Everywhere

Despite the challenges families face, what I’ll remember most isn’t the hardship. It’s the hope.

I saw children excited to learn, teachers committed to helping every student succeed, and parents determined to give their children opportunities they never had themselves.

I visited homes built years ago with Children Incorporated’s support that are still providing families with stability today. I met former sponsored children who have graduated from school, found employment, and built brighter futures for themselves. Those moments are powerful reminders that sponsorship creates lasting change.

Every trip reinforces something I have believed for many years: sponsorship is more than financial assistance, it is an investment in a child’s future.

Thank you to every sponsor who makes these visits possible and, more importantly, makes these stories possible. Because of your generosity, children across Bolivia have the opportunity to learn, grow, and look toward tomorrow with hope.

-Luis Bourdet

International Programs Director 

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Join Us in Making a Difference

These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

Renee Kube |

The mountains of Eastern Kentucky are breathtaking. Rolling hills stretch for miles. Horses graze quietly in green pastures. The Red River Gorge draws visitors from across the country to hike towering cliffs and explore the beauty of Appalachia. But beyond the scenic overlooks and winding mountain roads, many families are quietly struggling just to get by.

Recently, our Director of US Programs, and our Assistant Director visited Wolfe County, Kentucky — one of the poorest counties in both the state and the nation. In Wolfe County, poverty rates remain staggeringly high, often reaching more than double the national average. Many families live paycheck to paycheck. Others rely on grandparents raising grandchildren on fixed Social Security incomes. Parents work hard in low-paying jobs, seasonal work, farming, or service industries, yet still struggle to afford essentials like clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, or reliable transportation. We can see firsthand how sponsorship is helping children face these challenges with dignity and confidence.

Wolfe County: “Proud as Peacocks”

In Wolfe County, poverty rates remain stuck between 28–37%, more than double the national average. Once supported by coal and logging industries, the county now relies heavily on schools, healthcare, tourism, and low-wage service jobs.

At Wolfe County High School, coordinator Connie Burks described how sponsorship helps students feel confident during some of the hardest years of adolescence. She organizes shopping trips so students can choose clothes, shoes, hygiene items, and essentials many families cannot otherwise provide. “It’s so rewarding to see the students come to school ‘proud as peacocks with their new clothes,’” Connie shared.

For many students, these experiences are completely new. Some are being raised by grandparents. Others are helping support their families while trying to stay focused on school and their future. There’s Austin, a senior accepted into a technical institute to study diesel mechanics. There’s LaDella, who worked after school jobs to help her struggling family before deciding she wanted to pursue nursing. And there’s Ricky, who visits the resource center almost daily — sometimes for a pencil, sometimes for deodorant, and sometimes simply to say hello. At Wolfe County Middle School, coordinators spoke openly about how difficult middle school years can be for children living in poverty. “Most are desperate to fly under the radar, and to fit in with their peers,” the report explains.

New clothes and shoes do more than meet physical needs. They ease embarrassment, reduce bullying, and help children feel accepted during years when fitting in feels incredibly important.

Food insecurity remains a constant concern throughout the county. While a local food pantry has helped, transportation barriers and long wait times often prevent families from accessing help consistently.

At Campton Elementary School, the Family Resource Center serves as a lifeline for struggling families. Coordinator Becky Dickey and assistant Tom Yeager maintain food supplies, hygiene items, and a clothing closet for students who may come to school without weather-appropriate clothes, properly fitting shoes, or clean outfits.

Sometimes the needs are urgent and immediate. During one visit, a student came into the resource center wearing shoes and pants that were far too small. She left excitedly carrying heart-covered leggings and sandals she had chosen herself. That moment captured the heart of sponsorship in Eastern Kentucky: meeting practical needs while also restoring dignity.

At Campton Elementary, 87% of students come from low-income families.

There’s seven-year-old Jacey, who loves horses, unicorns, and caring for chickens on her family’s small property. Her father works hard doing handyman jobs and small farming projects, but inconsistent income makes supporting six children incredibly difficult. “There are so many reasons they need a well-stocked closet,” Becky explained.

At nearby Rogers Elementary School, coordinators shared stories of grandparents raising grandchildren on small Social Security checks, families living in mobile homes, and children whose sponsorship support has become “a lifeline.”

Breathitt County: Poverty, Flood Recovery, and Resilience

In neighboring Breathitt County, many of the same struggles continue.

The county remains deeply affected by generational poverty and, more recently, by the devastating 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. Even four years later, flood damage remains visible across the region — damaged homes, boarded windows, warped siding, and families still struggling to rebuild. At Breathitt County Junior/Senior High School, coordinator Kelli Gross described how poverty affects every part of students’ lives. “Some students are staying up all night to make sure a parent doesn’t overdose,” she explained. “Others are taking care of younger siblings late into the night.”

For some students, school simply cannot become the priority it should be because survival at home comes first. Many families rely on government assistance, low-paying retail jobs, school system employment, or nursing home work. Grandparents raising grandchildren is common here as well. Kelli shared that some middle and high school students had “never been inside a store before and didn’t know how to shop for themselves.” Through sponsorship shopping trips, students slowly gain confidence — not just in choosing clothes, but in themselves. At Jackson City School, sponsorship has become woven into the culture of the school itself.

Unlike many schools where students may feel embarrassed receiving support, coordinator Ashley Combs explained that students openly celebrate the program and talk proudly about their sponsors. Ashley described one student with an insulin pump who used to hide the tubing beneath long sleeves, even during warm weather, because he felt self-conscious about the adhesive patches on his skin. With consistent access to supplies and support, he eventually grew more confident. Recently, she saw him wearing short sleeves at school for the first time. “It felt like a small but meaningful victory,” she shared.

At Highland-Turner Elementary School, sponsorship helps children navigate the vulnerable years before transitioning into much larger schools. Coordinator Linda Oaks emphasized how meaningful sponsor relationships become for students. One student proudly shared that she named her black chicken “Smudgy” after her sponsor’s cat because she feels so connected to the family who writes to her.

Those relationships matter deeply.

Children Incorporated doesn’t simply provide clothing and supplies. It creates consistent, caring connections in places where many children desperately need stability and encouragement. At Breathitt Elementary School, coordinator Amanda Miller described how students “light up” when they hear something has arrived from their sponsor. For children being raised by grandparents or living in financially unstable homes, those moments mean more than sponsors may ever fully realize.

A Home Visit That Told the Whole Story

One of the most moving moments of the trip came during a home visit with grandparents Jack and Marilyn Fugate. Now in their late seventies and early eighties, the couple is raising four grandchildren after their daughter passed away from cancer in her thirties. Their only income comes primarily from Social Security.

Jack proudly showed staff the barn he built himself decades ago, once filled with horses he trained and showed throughout the Southeast. Dust-covered trophies still line the shelves inside. Then he walked visitors to the home he also built with his own hands. The couple spoke with deep gratitude for the support their grandchildren receive through Children Incorporated. “It was clear that the assistance makes a meaningful difference. It’s not just meeting basic needs, it’s easing some of the daily pressure they carry.”

That sentence could summarize the entire trip.

Sponsorship is a source of hope

Across every school visit, one message remained clear: sponsorship matters deeply.

It helps children arrive at school prepared to learn. It eases pressure on caregivers already stretched thin. It provides confidence, stability, and encouragement during difficult seasons of life. In places like Wolfe County, poverty is not simply about income. It affects education, transportation, nutrition, emotional well-being, and future opportunity.

But sponsorship creates a connection powerful enough to interrupt that cycle.

Through the support of compassionate sponsors, children in Eastern Kentucky are receiving more than clothes or school supplies. They are receiving reassurance that someone believes in them, cares about their future, and wants them to succeed. And for many children, that hope can make all the difference. What they found was not a lack of love or determination among families. Instead, they witnessed the ongoing realities of generational poverty, limited opportunities, food insecurity, and the daily challenges that children face simply trying to attend school ready to learn.

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Join Us in Making a Difference

These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

Community Support, News, Stories of Hope, Kentucky

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written by Renee Kube

Renée oversees Children Incorporated’s work in the United States – from the rural southeast and southwest to our urban areas in New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. She works closely with our network of more than 100 volunteer coordinators at each affiliated site. For sixteen years, Renée managed our sites in the Appalachian Region before taking her current role in 2010.

» more of Renee's stories
Rachel Luginbuhl |

Our Spring 2026 Newsletter is Here!

Your compassion is doing more than meeting needs: it’s changing what’s possible. From delivering life-sustaining meals to over 7,000 children, to empowering young leaders in New Orleans and expanding access to specialized education across the globe, your support is creating real, lasting impact. Whether it’s helping a child stay nourished, confident, or prepared to learn, every act of generosity is an investment in their future.

Working to Fight Food Insecurity

This past October, your compassion took a seat at the table for thousands of children. As global food insecurity continues to rise, our CEO, Liz Collins, mobilized an emergency boost of $25 per child across all our affiliated sites. The scale of your impact is staggering – over 7,000 children received the extra nourishment they needed to grow, learn, and thrive. You didn’t just send a donation, you sent a lifeline.

What You Helped Provide:

  • A week of school meals for one child.
  • One month of weekend food packages for a family in need.
  • Supplies purchased for the sustainability of community gardens.
  • Nutrition support for multiple unsponsored children in a high-need area.

Female Empowerment​ Opportunities ​in New Orleans

At Arthur Ashe Charter School, a remarkable group of young women is proving that with the right support, the future is bright. In “The Ladies of Tomorrow,” an 8th-grade sisterhood, students cultivate empathy and strengthen their emotional health.

Because of your contributions to the Hope In Action Fund, these young leaders had everything they needed—from project supplies to professional clothing—to make their mark this year.

Your generosity empowered them to:

  • Speak Up: They wrote, directed, and filmed two anti-bullying commercials for the weekly school news broadcast.
  • Give Back: The Ladies of Tomorrow mentored the next generation by hosting reading sessions for the first grade classes.
  • Celebrate Culture: They choreographed and led a powerful performance for the school-wide Black History Program.

Seeing Impact Through Letters

Writing to your sponsored child is a fun and informative way to learn more about their life as well as see the progress brought by your generosity. Some children write more than others, and patience is essential in allowing children to express themselves. We ensure at least one letter a year is delivered to our sponsors.

Educational Therapy in Puerto Rico

Success for a few of our children at Iglesia Bautista requires more than just a standard classroom setup. Through your gifts to the Hope In Action Fund, we recently provided targeted educational and therapeutic grants to ensure every student has the tools they need to grow.

These grants are changing the daily lives of families:

  • Consistency in Therapy: One student can now practice her therapeutic exercises at home with the same equipment used by her specialists.
  • Advancing Education: A young boy was able to trade his “little kid” map for an advanced version that shows every country, matching his growing curiosity and skill level.
Your generosity transforms a child’s potential into real opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

COORDINATOR SPOTLIGHT

Serving as the Family Resource Center Coordinator at Salyersville Grade School for the past three years, Kelly Simpkins has embraced her calling to support children and families in a rural community with limited resources. After being encouraged by the school’s principal to apply, she stepped into a role that allows her to make a meaningful difference each day.

She shares that Children Incorporated is an invaluable partner, providing essential support where few other resources exist and helping meet the needs of the most vulnerable students. Grateful for the ongoing encouragement from the Children Incorporated team, she remains focused on her hope that the children and families she serves will overcome generational poverty, achieve self-sufficiency, and grow into happy, healthy, and thriving members of their community.

Building Futures in El Salvador

Located near the Civic Center in San Salvador, El Salvador, stands the Laboure School, one of our affiliated sites. The school currently educates over two hundred of the capital city’s boys and girls from first through ninth grade. Due to damages from earthquakes over recent years, a large section of the school was condemned. The rest of the school, though safe, is in desperate need of improvements.

With the government’s increased focus on public safety and security, fewer funds have been available for health and education purposes. That meant we had an opportunity to help. We are thrilled to announce that with Children Incorporated supporters, like you, we secured funding for the remaining amount needed to build a new school.

Luis Bourdet, our Director for International Programs, has diligently worked with Laboure School administrators to obtain building designs and estimates, submit permits, and create project timelines. We are waiting on one more civic permit approval and hope to break ground early-to-mid-May 2026.

This is the largest building project that Children Incorporated has funded, and we are excited to partner with the Laboure School administrators and the San Salvador Civic Center community. We will keep you updated with the progress!

Maximize Your Impact with a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Think of a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) as a simple and flexible way to support the mission of Children Incorporated. 

How do I contribute to Children Incorporated from my Donor Advised Fund?

  1. Login to your Donor Advised Fund account through your DAF sponsor, such as Fidelity Charitable, DAFGiving360, or Vanguard Charitable.
  2. Recommend a grant to Children Incorporated
  3. Provide Children Incorporated’s tax ID (54-0761510) to your DAF sponsor or advisor

Have questions about how to get started or how to link your existing DAF to our mission? We are here to help! Please reach out to Steve Mitchell, our Director of Donor Development, at 800-538-5381 or via email at smitchell@children-inc.org  to discuss how a DAF can be a powerful tool for your legacy of giving.

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