Children and adults to “Come Together” for state’s first-ever multi-generational anti-hunger conference

April 10, 2015

Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Former Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden, will provide morning keynote remarks.

Hundreds of anti-hunger advocates will gather at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on Monday, May 4 as part of the state’s first-ever multi-generational anti-hunger conference.

The conference, presented by the Food Bank of Delaware, Brae’s Brown Bags and the Food Research and Action Center, is entitled Coming Together: A Community Response to Hunger to reflect that it takes everyone – children, adults, nonprofits, government entities, businesses, faith-based organizations, educational institutions and others – working together to end hunger in our communities.

“What started as a gathering of local anti-hunger advocates two years ago, has grown into a conference where real community change is happening,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “As a result of past conferences, we have made great strides to increase participation in school breakfast, action to increase the amount of fresh produce for low-income Delawareans and more. With the inclusion of children in this year’s conference, we know we can all work together, regardless of age, to make meaningful change.”

The all-day conference will feature programming for both adults and children. The morning Coming Together Political Town Hall will feature prominent state democrats and republicans including State Senator Bryan Townsend, State Representative Helene Keeley, Senator Colin Bonini and State GOP Chairman Charlie Copeland. The town hall will feature hunger and poverty-related questions from school-aged children representing Delaware’s three counties.

At the conclusion of the political town hall, kids will be dismissed to their own programming focused on healthy eating, fitness, the legislative process, food insecurity, gardening and food waste and more.

“I think want I want most out of the conference is for kids to think about what it really means to be hungry,” said 11-year-old Braeden Mannering, founder of Brae’s Brown Bags. “I want them to imagine how it feels and how we can fix it if we all work together. For me it is to help all people have a chance to eat healthy. I hope the conference will inspire others kids to get involved.”

The morning will also feature a children’s nutrition panel for adults with representatives from USDA, the Harry K Foundation, Delaware Department of Education, Share Our Strength, New York City Coalition Against Hunger and the Food Research and Action Center. At that time, the Food Bank of Delaware will also announce the winners of its first-ever school breakfast challenge.

Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Former Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden and Dr. Sandra Hassink, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, will provide keynote remarks during the morning and lunchtime hours. Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on military families and veterans, workforce development and agriculture.

Dr. Sandra Hassink, President, American Academy of Pediatrics, will provide keynote remarks during the lunchtime hour.

When: Monday, May 4; 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, 19801

Registration: Registration is $40/person and includes a continental breakfast and lunch; price increases by $10 after April 17

Agenda:
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Registration/continental breakfast/exhibits
Christina Ballroom

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Opening remarks
Keynote remarks – Speaker TBD
Riverfront Ballroom

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Riverfront Ballroom
Adults and children
Coming Together: A Political Town Hall Meeting

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Break

Kids are dismissed to kids track for remainder of day

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Riverfront Ballroom
Announcement of School Breakfast Challenge winners and Children’s Nutrition panel

12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Riverfront Ballroom
Keynote remarks from Dr. Sandra Hassink, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Afternoon adult workshops in breakout rooms

Panel: Workforce Development
Panel: Hunger and Harvest
Panel: Saying “Thank You” – Meeting the Needs of Military Families and Veterans

3:00 p.m.
Closing remarks
Riverfront Ballroom

3:15 p.m.
Backpack Program packing event and happy hour sponsored by JPMorgan Chase
Governor’s Hall

Thank you sponsors:

Gold:
AARP Delaware

Silver:
Bank of America
UnitedHealthcare

Bronze:
Agilent Technologies
Christiana Care
Giant Food
Harvey Hanna & The Delaware Kids Fund
Highmark Delaware
Ruth Mayer
Zakat Foundation

Complete panel descriptions and speakers, registration and more information can be found at www.fbd.org/comingtogether.