We recently partnered with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, and Walmart in hosting a community screening featuring portions of Sesame Street’s newest prime time special, Growing Hope Against Hunger, featuring Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams Paisley, and the Sesame Street Muppets. The screening showcased the program and provide educational opportunities for families around the issue of hunger in America. We previewed this program at Altura Elementary School in Aurora, where over 97% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. FOX 31’s, Ken Clark, emceed the event (thanks Ken!).
The special aired on Rocky Mountain PBS on Sunday, October 9. The special helped raise awareness of the widespread issue of hunger and provide simple, empowering strategies to families who aren’t sure where their next meal will come from-and to others who want to help. Lily, a new Muppet character who relies on a food pantry for her family’s meals, was introduced. She and Elmo become fast friends and talk openly about the prevalence of hunger in America. Watch a portion of the programs here!
In Colorado, 22.7% of kids under 18 are deemed food insecure. Of those 271,660 children, 43% do not qualify for government assistance and rely on food assistance from Food Bank of the Rockies and their 1,003 agency partners. We were thrilled to be a part of such a fantastic event to raise awareness and show kids that they’re not alone in their struggles with putting food on the table.