Policy Point Wednesday - Sesame Street Can Get To You

Last week, Sesame Workshop and Feeding America hosted a Twitter chat about hunger in the US.  As you may know, Sesame Street recently introduced the character Lily, a seven-year-old girl whose family is struggling financially and sometimes needs help from the local food pantry.



Sesame Workshop's program doesn't stop at increasing awareness.  While it does discuss the importance of charity, the program is not aimed solely at those of us in a position to help, but offers specific information to the estimated 14.5 percent (17.2 million) of U.S. households that are food insecure.

They offer an online toolkit for struggling parents that includes topical videos for kids featuring the Sesame Street muppets,  and also for adults to learn how other families manage food insecurity.  The website includes tips for managing food on a budget, recipes, and shopping lists.  There is information on how to access food programs such as SNAP, WIC, and food at school, and also how to find local charitable resources like food pantries and soup kitchens.  When financial disaster strikes a family, many don't know where to turn for help - but now, help is right around the corner, on Sesame Street.