EAST LANSING, Mich. (PRWEB)
August 26, 2020

The Association for Child Development (ACD) has been establishing healthy eating habits for the past 45 years by offering the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in child care settings throughout the state. Children are in need and ACD is seeking financial donations from those willing to give to feed those children.

With approximately 3,000 participants, ACD feeds nearly 40,000 children in Michigan and Illinois. The impact of the Coronavirus not just statewide, but nationwide, has ACD, the CACFP and the child care communities closing their businesses and services and now are on the brink of collapse.

“For many children, the only healthy meal they receive is the one they get at child care.” ACD Executive Director, Denise Meyer continues, “ACD is committed to our role to help provide a healthier tomorrow for children in child care… but we can’t do it alone.”

Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ACD is a statewide sponsor of the CACFP; a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children (and adults) who are enrolled for care at participating child care center, day care homes and adult day care centers.

According to a COVID-19 impact study conducted by partners of the CACFP, the global pandemic has “diminished the reach and access to CACFP across the nation.” Numbers have dropped more than 50% from providers and children served through the program.

“ACD makes a huge impact in local communities around the states of Michigan and Illinois,” said ACD Board President, Mitch Zajac. “In Ingham and Livingston Counties, Michigan, for example, ACD helps feed 730 children healthy meals and supports 96 child care providers. In Wayne and Oakland counties, we likewise help feed healthy meals to 3,875 kids and support 333 child care providers. In Cook county in Illinois, those numbers are as high as 6,414 kids and 576 providers. We cannot do it alone though, especially in light of COVID-19.”

ACD and the children of Michigan and Illinois need your help! Donors can also visit http://www.acdkids.org to give directly to the organization while a GoFundMe campaign has launched on ACD’s Facebook page. Help us provide a child with a nutritious meal or snack today.

The Association for Child Development

Contact: Tia Wahl

Communications Manager

twahl@acdkids.org

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