Approximately 500 Columbus-area children arrived at Nationwide Arena on Monday, Dec.12, at 4 p.m. for Children’s Hunger Alliance’s annual holiday party. More than 80 volunteers from Limited Brands Inc. joined area media personalities in serving children a nutritious holiday meal, lacing little feet into skates and creating glittery crafts kids can take home as holiday gifts. Thanks to The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and Nationwide Arena, children will also have the opportunity to meet Stinger, The Blue Jackets mascot, and skate on “professional ice.”

Children’s Hunger Alliance, the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in Ohio, strives to improve children’s health and educational performance through better nutrition and physical activity. The agency’s holiday party accomplishes both objectives, combining a nutritious meal and ice skating for children who participate in afterschool meal and enrichment programs the agency sponsors throughout central Ohio. These programs provide meals and enrichment programming to 1,600 Franklin County children aged 5-18 each day.

This is the second year The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation has donated Nationwide Arena to host the event.

“We are grateful to The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation for their continued support,” remarks Shelly Roth, Vice President, Youth Development, Children’s Hunger Alliance. “Our holiday party is a great example of our effort to ensure all children have access to healthy food and fitness activities. It’s great to see so many of the children we serve all together at the same place, celebrating the holiday.”

Roth explained that Children’s Hunger Alliance’s support of afterschool programs is part of the agency’s broader commitment to ensuring that all Ohio children have access to food, nutrition education and quality child care.

“We know that many children don’t have a safe place to go after school, and thousands more aren’t sure if they’ll end their day with a hot meal,” said Roth. “That’s why we help existing afterschool programs offer kids healthy meals, nutrition education and fitness curriculum. We supported 48 afterschool sites last year, and look forward to serving even more in the years to come.”

Organizations wanting to learn more about how Children’s Hunger Alliance can help feed hungry minds and bodies during afterschool hours and summer months may contact the agency at 614-341-7700 x 267.

About Children’s Hunger Alliance Children’s Hunger Alliance is committed to breaking the cycle of hunger in Ohio through its commitment to education, leadership, advocacy, and service. By expanding access to food, nutrition education and quality child care, Children’s Hunger Alliance is changing the way hunger is perceived and addressed throughout the state, and is working to dramatically improve each child’s opportunity to grow into a productive, healthy, contributing adult. To learn more about Children’s Hunger Alliance please visit www.childrenshungeralliance.org.