School-age kids can join the fight against hunger

United Food Bank has come up with a way to teach school-age children about philanthropy and community service.

By donating one jar of peanut butter and one jar of jelly at a participating “Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive” location your child becomes a member of the Kids’ Lunch Bunch Club. New members of the club receive a certificate and a token of appreciation from participating business.

“Every night one out of four kids in Arizona goes to bed hungry,” says Bob Evans, United Food Bank President and CEO.

The program is designed to raise children’s awareness of hunger in Arizona and make them part of the solution. “This is a kids-helping-kids program,” says Evans.

Below is a list of “Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive” participating businesses, food drive dates and the item children who show up will receive.

AUGUST  1-31

Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N 7th St, Phoenix
childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Participation enters your child in a drawing for a free membership (admits two) at the Climber level.

Bounce U
1166 South Gilbert Rd, #110, Gilbert
bounceu.com
Open bounce pass.

Arizona Museum for Youth
35 N Robson St, Mesa
arizonamuseumforyouth.com
Free admission pass, 1 per family (some restrictions apply).

My Pigsty Furniture
1528 W San Pedro #7, Gilbert
mypigsty.com
$10 off coupon and a special prize.

Superstition Springs Center
6555 E Southern Ave, Mesa
Superstition Springs Center
Special PB&J drive participation sticker.

August 1-7

Yodipity
yodipityyogurt.com
1033 N Dobson Rd, Mesa
15% off purchase.

August 19-21

Gameworks
5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe
arizonamills.com
30 minutes of unlimited game play.

Fiddlesticks
1155 West Elliot Rd, Tempe
fiddlesticksaz.com
Unlimited ride wristband.

Brunswick Zone XL
1160 South Gilbert Rd, Gilbert
bowlbrunswick.com
Coupon for one free game of bowling.

United Food Bank is a private nonprofit organization that provides hunger relief/food assistance by collecting, acquiring, storing and distributing food and related commodities through a network of partner social services agencies in the East Valley, eastern Maricopa County, Gila and Pinal counties and southern Apache and Navajo counties. Learn more.

The Elontec School Diaper Challenge

The Elontec School Diaper Challenge is asking Valley schools to compete to collect diapers in support of families in need. The challenge is part of the Homeward Bound 12^th Annual Baby Diaper Drive, for which Elontec is a sponsoring partner.

The school that collects the most diapers – in sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6 – will win a Mimio Teach, an interactive system that turns an ordinary whiteboard into a technology whiteboard.

“This is a great way to foster ‘kids helping kids,’ a wonderful school- and community-building event and an opportunity to teach philanthropy and leadership in a hands-on way,” says Elontec president Ginger Clayton. “Several schools already are participating, including Candeo School, West Wing Elementary and Primrose School of Fletcher Heights.”

The challenge ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

For more information or to register for the Elontec School Diaper Challenge contact Clayton at 623-445-0055 or visit BabyDrive.org.