More than 16 million children in the United States are at risk of going hungry, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. That’s one in every five kids who don’t get a nutritious meal on a regular basis.
On May 14, the Podiatric Practice Management and Journal Club (PPMJC) held a fundraiser to help “de-feet” childhood hunger. The club hosted “Coffee for Cans,” trading hot cups of coffee for donations of cash and non-perishable food items.
The fundraiser is part of De-Feet Childhood Hunger, a national coalition of podiatry medical offices and podiatry students to combat the issue by filling local food pantries. PPMJC planned the event for finals to give students and faculty a much-needed caffeine boost. They received 76 cans and $44, which will go to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) network of food pantries.
“Our club has an annual competition with students at the other podiatry schools to see how much we can collect,” said Nicholas Staub, D.P.M.’18, PPMJC vice president. “We’re not only de-feeting childhood hunger; we’re also out to defeat the nine other podiatry schools in the country.”
PPMJC accepted 216 cans in total this year and raised $55. That may not seem like much cash, but in many places, just $1 can help a child access 10 meals. That’s 550 meals for kids in need, which is no small “feet.”
