From Storytime to Sandwiches: Helping Kids Understand Empathy and Hunger in Their Own Community
A new story book is reaching children and bookstores around the country carrying an important lesson for the young… empathy.
Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is book #6 in the series, and the lesson within it, compassion through volunteering, has taken community impact to the next level.
Children will learn through experience — by stepping into new places, meeting new people, and sharing moments that matter. Volunteering at a food bank brings all of this together while teaching compassion in action.
The Lucas and Emily Adventures Delivers the Message!
Award-winning Author Dave Grunenwald saw an opportunity with his own grandchildren to learn about food banks in the community. With this inspiration, he penned a beautiful children’s book called Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure.
In the story, Grandpa takes the children to two food banks. One is a local food bank serving a large regional area, and the other is a sandwich-making organization that bags lunches and delivers them to those without homes of their own.
Children Are Able To Understand Food Insecurity
Children are capable of understanding important issues like food insecurity — especially when the examples involve situations close to home or even with their own classmates. One example is that often schools provide additional meals to those who may need it including breakfast and lunch.
One small act of kindness for a child could be to share their lunch with a friend or student that may not have a lunch or whose lunch might only have one item in it. This type of sharing is a way for children to understand that some children may have more, while others have less.
Taking that kindness out to the community increases their awareness of others. At food banks, there are many activities that require volunteers, young and old alike, to offer their time and talent. Stocking shelves, and boxing items may be two common jobs that need to be done every day. Another job for student volunteers can be to help prepare bags of rice and beans and other staple foods or essential items. The staple foods go into dry food boxes that will go home with each family.
One difference between sharing with classmates and sharing at food banks, is that when you volunteer at a food bank, you don’t actually meet and talk to the children or family who is receiving food that you have helped to prepare. This special way of helping others can further steep into the young mind.
Essential Items Through Food Drives
At food banks, there is always a list of Essential Items. These may include rice and beans, canned protein such as tuna and peanut butter, olive oil, cereal, milk and eggs, baby diapers and formula, among other items.
Young children can do other small acts of kindness such as a food drive. This can happen through their classroom, their sports team or their neighborhood. Some children feel so inspired to help they come up with their own incredible ways to give and motivate others too. Don’t ever underestimate the power of these small acts. They can evolve to inspire hundreds of people in your town.
Paying It Forward by Spreading Goodness
This leads to another conversation piece, that empathy and small acts of kindness can actually turn into a deep impact within a community. One person and a few acts of kindness over time can have an immense effect on hundreds in their town and further. We never know how much we affect the lives of those around us.
Helping others experiencing food insecurity is an act of anonymity. In helping those that we do not meet in person, we can imagine spreading little rays of sunshine and paying it forward to someone else.
Food insecurity may remain a reality, but through our guidance, children can learn to make a difference — one small act at a time. Children have ample opportunities to volunteer and help others.
Often, we just need to ask, “What can I do to help?” Sharing these opportunities with friends, relatives, grandparents and classmates will make a meaningful act of kindness even sweeter.
Proceeds from Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure help the Feeding America network of food banks across the country. You can find out more about local food banks near you, here.
Early Recognition for the Book
With profound gratitude, Author Dave Grunenwald is beaming to announce early recognition for his new release book. Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure was entered for consideration to the Reader Views 2025 Literary Reviewers Choice Awards.
The book received early consideration and earned a 5-Star Rating!
More information about the Lucas and Emily Story Series can be found here.
