This year Santa isn’t going to get milk with his cookies…
… someone else needs it more than he does. While the holiday time brings over 1/3 of the entire yearly donations to food banks, there is a major shortage on a very essential staple in a child’s diet, milk. On average, food bank clients receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year, leaving many families with limited access to milk’s essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein per serving and three of the top nutrients most likely to be missing in the American diet – calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Milk powers potential—if you have access to it.
We all know that protein is essential in any child’s diet, but sadly American children are going without. Milk can be expensive and when people are struggling to put food on the table it is something that can be cut out of the budget. This holiday season why not skip the cup of milk to Santa and donate a gallon to a family that needs it instead. I am sure Santa won’t mind and you will stay on the good list!
You can help make a difference. Here are two small ways that you can ensure that children in your community have milk this winter:
Make a donation online. Starting Giving Tuesday (December 2) through December 31, America’s dairy farmers and milk companies will match all donations made at www.MilkLife.com/give making milk gallons multiply at your local food bank this holiday season. By entering your zip code, you can ensure that milk is delivered to a local food bank to help nourish children in your own community.
Spread the word. For every share of this Great American Milk Drive video, a one-gallon donation will be made to one of the more than 200 food banks served by Feeding America.
The Great American Milk Drive may only come around once a year, but it can make a huge difference in the lives of many families. Watch this video to learn more:
To date, 194,000 gallons have been donated as part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to helping families get much-desired nutrient-rich milk. Why don’t you make it 194,001?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
That is a great campaign and I am so happy to hear so much has already been raised.
Samantha Angell says
I’ve never heard of this before! It does sound like a great project. I guess I wouldn’t normally think to donate milk to a food bank since it expires so quickly.
Jeanine says
I have never heard of this before. What a wonderful and much needed campaign. I wouldn’t ever think to donate milk, but now I know it’s necessary.
Tonya C says
I never knew that milk was in such short supply at the food banks. Thanks for sharing this as I will share this video. Milk has definitely gotten more expensive which does make it hard for some families to continue to buy it. Hope this campaign has amazing results!
Miriam Schulman ( SchulmanArt) says
i hadn’t heard this but it doesn’t surprise me. also, a lot of the world doesn’t have access to clean drinking water either. I don’t see the link for us to make the donation though…
Echo says
This is such a wonderful campaign. I plan on donating today! Thank you so much for raising awareness.
Debra Needles says
You always take the milk in your fridge for granted. I would never think of it as something someone has to go without. Sad. 🙁
touristmeetstraveler says
Who knew milk would be short of food drives, that’s really sad; I always love a glass of milk!
Heather says
I will donate some milk! They need to set this drive up in grocery stores that way we can donate right at check out.
Michelle Hwee says
What a interesting campaign! I never really knew that milk would be the #1 most wanted type of product at a food drive. I love the idea and concept with Santa, haha Santa has to have just water now 😉
Myrabev says
Such an important campaign, milk we who have it in abundance take it for granted when there so many familied out there who could do with some.
Rebecca Swenor says
What a great cause indeed. I love the idea of giving the milk to those in need instead of Santa. This is a great sign and teaches kids to help others too. Thanks for sharing.
Giveaways 4 Mom says
This is a great cause. I love how you gave the milk to those who need it instead of Santa. I wish I would have known about this, I would have done the same.
Marielle Altenor says
Wow 194,000 gallons is a lot of milk! I love this campaign, such a wonderful cause!!!
Penny Struebig says
It’s wonderful that you brought this to everyone’s attention. I donate food often to our food pantry, but I’ve never donated milk. I’ll have to add this to my shopping list the next time I’m dropping food off at the food pantry.
Debi says
I never knew that milk was in a shortage in food banks. This is a great cause.
Shannon Gosney says
I love the Great American Milk Drive Campaign. This sounds like a really great cause! Love the pictures you shared as well!