Help Kick Hunger Challenge Fights Youth Food Insecurity

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, together with Parichute, The Coca-Cola Company and players of many Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League and United Soccer League teams, launched the first Help Kick Hunger Challenge to fight youth food insecurity in communities across the nation.

In America, 1 in 6 children experiences food insecurity, and throughout Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, more than 60 percent of youth qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with meals, safe spaces, mentors and life-enhancing experiences on their journey to a great future.

Zack Steffen, Goalkeeper, Middlesbrough F.C. (on loan from Manchester City F.C.) and active supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs is calling on fans nationwide to help make an impact. Steffen will kick off the Help Kick Hunger Challenge on Instagram, demonstrating his favorite soccer trick in acceptance of the challenge as he passes the ball to nominees Travis Fulgham (Green Bay Packers, NFL), Chris Frederick (retired professional soccer player, entrepreneur) and JJ Watt (Arizona Cardinals, NFL) to donate and do the same.

“I had a lot of goals coming into this year and one of them was to continue to help children in need,” said Steffen. “It’s been a busy year for me and I’d like to finish it on a high note. In doing so, we created the Help Kick Hunger Challenge. No child should ever have to worry about their next meal, and this is an opportunity for the soccer community and others to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America to make a big difference in the lives of kids.”

This giving season, nearly 50 players from Major League Soccer teams are slated to join the challenge including USMNT’s Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC, defender) and Tim Ream (Fulham, defender) who will represent the United States in Qatar and pledge their support on social media with an exciting USA giveaway.

Additionally, now through Dec. 31, The Coca-Cola Company will match all donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the Help Kick Hunger campaign, up to $50,000, doubling the potential impact to keeping kids fed, fueled and focused on achieving their full potential.

“We know youth can thrive when they have access to healthy meals that keep them fueled and focused,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We are honored to share nationwide support from Parichute, The Coca-Cola Company and the entire soccer community through the Help Kick Hunger Challenge as we work together to ensure today’s young people become the leaders, innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”

Initially supporting Boys & Girls Clubs located in Major League Soccer markets, the Help Kick Hunger Challenge is calling on everyone to participate by sharing their own videos on social media, tagging @BGCA_Clubs and @Parichute and including #HelpKickHunger in their post. Participants are also encouraged to visit app.parichute.com/project/help-kick-hunger to donate to give young people in Clubs the meals and resources they need to thrive. After all, they’re the only next generation we’ve got.

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