Karissa

A Heart for World Hunger and Poverty

Karissa's heart is full of happiness when she fights world hunger and poverty. Karissa knows that hunger and poverty are big problems and social issues that have only gotten worse recently. In America alone 14.3% of people live in poverty and 14.6% live in homes where the food supply is unstable. Around the world, the number of people hungry has surpassed a staggering 1 billion in 2009 (FAO of United Nations). In recent years hunger has become a huge problem as economies across the globe have experienced financial crisis, jobs have been lost and food prices have risen.

Karissa knows hunger is a problem around the world and even in her backyard. She has learned through her volunteering that all too often hunger and malnutrition is part of daily life just down the street or sometimes unexpectedly even next door. She has met neighbors who don't always know where their next meal will come from and when.

Karissa started doing something about hunger by asking a simple question at a food kitchen near her home "How can I help?". Since a first visit, she has asked that same question many times. It always amazes her how the answers she receives are so simple, but yet make a big difference. At shelters she helps prepare meals, she serves food and she talks to the families who need help. She sometimes helps a young child eat, so that her equally hungry mom can enjoy a hot meal. Karissa also brings food to the shelter, whenever she can, sometimes it's just a can or two, and sometimes its whole bags of groceries. She's learned, no matter how big or small the she gives it all helps those who need it.

Karissa also has fundraisers with her friends and donates money to those who are living in poverty and hungry across the globe. Poverty and hunger exists for many reasons... whether due to lack of jobs, drought, conflict, or disease, mothers and fathers will not be able to find enough food for their families in communities around the world. Karissa is committed to helping hungry children and their families get the assistance they desperately need in many ways. She is hoping other people who have a heart to help the least among us will volunteer their time to help make someone else's life better.

Learn more ways you can help those who are hungry and living in poverty through our Karissa's non-profit partner Share our Strength. To support Share our Strength Buy a Karissa robot today, 10% of retail price is donated to them and use this cuddly stuff robot as a conversation starter that can improve lives around the world.