In response to alarming statistics that an increasingly large percentage of children and adolescents in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, the Junior League launched the initiative in 2006 with a new website, http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org and activities taking place in over 225 communities during Volunteer Week, April 23-29, 2006. Leagues hosted events in their communities, which provided materials and educational initiatives to help families address the urgent issues of poor nutrition and childhood obesity. In its first year, media coverage reached over 80 million people with messages about the issues surrounding childhood obesity and the Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen initiative. In its second year, over 255 Junior Leagues participated with activities focused around National Nutrition Month (March) in the U.S. and Canada. Media coverage reached over 120 million people.

Addressing the issue of childhood obesity continues The Junior League’s commitment to childhood and family nutrition that has spanned over 106 years. Continuing in the footsteps of Junior League founder, Mary Harriman, Leagues design Kids in the Kitchen programs that provide children the necessary tools for making nutritious eating choices. Leagues distribute child-friendly information and recipes related to healthy eating and nutrition to children and parents in their communities. Leagues also involve children in hands-on lessons on how to select and prepare healthy meals and snacks that are both tasty and affordable.

The Junior League of Saginaw Valley will participate in a program in partnership with other local community organizations, including the Saginaw Community Foundation) on April 16, 2008 at the Saginaw Valley Ryder Center.  We will seek media coverage in order to raise awareness and provide solutions for this urgent problem, highlighting ways in which this initiative reinforces our League’s Mission to improve our community.

We also are enlisting sponsors as supporters of our Kids in the Kitchen initiative. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact the Junior League of Saginaw Valley at 989-790-3763.  Benefits of becoming an in-kind supporter of the JLSV Kids in the Kitchen event are an announcement on the JLSV website, the Association of Junior Leagues International website, a mention in the monthly JLSV newsletter, and a possible Name/Logo on give-away items.

With the continuation of this important initiative, we have the potential to make a major impact on this urgent need facing today’s youth. As we develop additional plans for this year’s program, we hope you will lend your support.

Within our League, the program will be organized by our Program Committee led by Program Chairperson, Whitney Connor, with support from The Association of Junior Leagues International.

Additional details on this program are available on the Kids in the Kitchen website.