Last week I posted a letter addressed to Governor Hogan after attempting to get his attention via the internet wherein I received a computer generated receipt, but nothing else. My email had to be limited to 500 words which did not afford me the opportunity to spell out my concerns about Baltimore City children who are homeless and face weekends without food.
I hope that the letter generates considerable interest and that people sign it in support of my request for state money to feed these children, because I know he is a family man and a man who appears to me to have compassion. There are approximately 2,500 homeless children registered in Baltimore City Public Schools who face the thought that they will not have food over the weekend. They are able through the FARM (Free and Reduced Meal) program get at least 2 meals a day during the school week, but the weekends are a time in which they do not have access to food. While there are attempts to accomplish this through some private programs, they do not reach much of the population with the greatest need.
These are our children, each and every one of them. They are bright, intelligent and seemingly happy children with the same dreams that most children have and it is up to us, the adults to figure out a way to make sure that they are fed over the weekend. We do our part by providing with our partners,
food that sustains 300 people over the weekend on our weekend backpack program (weekend survival kit) that feeds three people, carried home by one child each weekend. We need help if we are going to address the severity of the problem which can be resolved.
So I have emailed the Governor, posted an open letter to the Governor, via moveon.org and am now asking him or someone of importance, that he appointed to contact me so that we can figure out a way to make sure that no child goes hungry in Baltimore City. Governor Hogan, this needs to be done and I guarantee you that it will save more state money than what it will cost to accomplish this. It will mean that the children are prepared on Monday morning to go to school. It will mean that these children will know that someone cares enough for them and their families, It will mean that they can have the opportunity to grow not only physically, but mentally by having the stength to work in school, because they are not hungry. Being healthy mentally and physically means that they will respect themselves more and achieve a better balance in their lives and also it will mean that they can enter society prepared.
You can contact me by contacting this web site, or by sending an email to cwilson@portlightinc.com and I will respond to your email and set up a meeting to meet with you at your convenience. Governor, this is really important because these children represent our future and we need your help. Together as a team we can see that no homeless child is ever hungry over the weekend.
Thank you.
