Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, South Atlantic Region
Goals & Approach
The partnership between Share Our Strength and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, South Atlantic Region combines advocacy expertise with community engagement to address childhood hunger through education, empowerment, and direct service. This collaboration leverages Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®'s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (AKA CHIPPTM) Program and “Advocate for Social Justice” Program Initiative to create sustainable impact in communities across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
National Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® website
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, South Atlantic Region
Insights from Georgia AKA Day at the Capitol Webinar: Service in Action – Moving Policy for Georgia’s Children
March 1, 2026
Approximately 235 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. joined the statewide webinar, representing chapters from across Georgia. The virtual gathering kicked off a two-day advocacy effort in connection with Georgia AKA Day at the Capitol, which continued the next morning with an in-person convening at the Georgia State Capitol. Earlier in the legislative session, a bill was introduced to formally designate March 2nd as “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day at the State Capitol.”
The webinar, Service in Action: Moving Policy for Georgia’s Children, guided AKA Sorority, Inc. members through a comprehensive look at the state of childhood hunger in Georgia, the power of advocacy, and the tools available to influence policy change.
Highlights from the Program:
- Mission & Partnership Overview
Briana Webster Campbell, managing director, No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices, opened the session by grounding it in No Kid Hungry’s mission and the partnership with AKA’s South Atlantic Region, emphasizing the shared commitment to improving child nutrition outcomes across the South Atlantic region. - Advocacy as a Calling
Rhonda Jackson, director of No Kid Hungry Louisiana, spoke about the role of advocacy as an extension of service, encouraging members to see themselves as essential voices in the fight against childhood hunger. - Storytelling for Change
Mathew Mengesha, senior manager, State & Local Government Relations, demonstrated how narrative can shape policymaking, offering practical techniques for crafting compelling stories that move legislators to action. - Georgia’s Policy Landscape
Senior manager of State Campaigns, Kate Goodin, provided an overview of current food insecurity data, polling insights, and the key policy issues expected to shape the upcoming legislative session. - Youth Perspectives on Hunger
Youth leaders Pratima Yellayi and Sofia Escobar, co-chairs of HealthMPowers’ Youth Advisory Council, shared why meaningful youth engagement is essential to strengthening federal nutrition programs and advancing advocacy efforts statewide. Jada Curd, No Kid Hungry champion, built on their insights by offering concrete advocacy strategies rooted in her lived experience growing up in rural Georgia and navigating food insecurity as a young person. Together, their perspectives highlighted both the urgency of the issue and the power of youth leadership in shaping policy solutions. - HBCUs as Economic Mobility Hubs
Briana Webster Campbell introduced No Kid Hungry’s HBCU Economic Mobility Hub initiative and highlighted opportunities for college students to support food access work on their campuses and in their communities. - Digital Advocacy Toolkit
Mathew Mengesha walked participants through No Kid Hungry’s Digital Advocacy Toolkit, offering concrete tools for taking action at the Capitol and sustaining engagement beyond the Advocacy Day. - Closing
Nia Brown, AKA Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region Corporate Partnerships Chairman, opened the floor for Q&A, and slides were shown outlining next steps and a preview of continued engagement at the upcoming South Atlantic regional conference in April.
Supplemental Resources
All of the referenced materials can be viewed on our Advocacy Hub.
Resources include:
- An overview of Childhood Hunger in Georgia
- A county-level data chart detailing child food insecurity rates, free/reduced price meal participation, and projected Summer EBT impact
- The webinar slide deck
- The digital Alpha Kappa Alpha Georgia Advocacy Toolkit for engaging at the Capitol and in local communities
Mobilizing Voices: Highlights from the 2026 South Carolina AKA Day at the Capitol
February 11–12, 2026
The 2026 South Carolina AKA Day at the Capitol brought together more than 300 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., state legislators, community partners, and advocates for two powerful days of civic engagement in Columbia, SC. The event focused on strengthening community impact through advocacy, relationship building, and education, with special attention to food access, voting rights, and the future of key public programs.
The experience opened with a VIP Dinner that created space for meaningful dialogue between AKAs and state lawmakers. Briana Webster Campbell, Managing Director, No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices, shared remarks underscoring the importance of expanding access to free and reduced-price meals, the missed opportunities created by South Carolina’s non participation in Summer EBT, and the need for continued advocacy to ensure children and families receive the support they deserve.
Across sessions and conversations, participants explored a range of pressing policy issues, including Medicaid, threats to SNAP, healthcare affordability, rising living costs, mental health access, education, and immigration enforcement concerns. Legislators offered candid reflections on their priorities, voter turnout, women’s health, and potential changes to the Voting Rights Act and redistricting.
The program featured dynamic speakers such as Ashley Page Bookhart (FoodShare South Carolina), Hon. Chandra Dillard (SC House of Rep., District #23), Hon. Patricia Moore Henegan (Former SC Black Caucus Chairman), Hon. Rosalyn Henderson-Meyers (SC House of Rep., District #31), Hon. Dr. Jermaine Johnson (SC House of Rep., District #52), Ms. Courtney McClain (National Activist), Mrs. Brenda Murphy (SC NAACP Conference President), Hon. Tiffany Moore Russell (South Atlantic Regional Director, AKA Sorority, Inc.), Antjuan Seawright (Founder & CEO, Blueprint Strategy LLC), Bakari Sellers (Civil Rights Advocate, Political Commentator & Author), and Hon. Courtney Waters (SC House of Rep., District #113), along with a host of other inspirational voices. Their insights energized attendees and reinforced the urgency of sustained civic participation.
On February 12, the signature Day at the Capitol drew 305 AKAs from counties across the state. Together, they delivered nearly 2,500 letters to legislators in support of Summer EBT—part of a growing, statewide advocacy effort that will continue through the end of the year. The atmosphere was vibrant, purposeful, and deeply committed to advancing policies that strengthen South Carolina’s communities.
No Kid Hungry Joins Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for FL AKA Day at the Capitol
January 27, 2026
No Kid Hungry Florida Director Sky Beard participated in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s South Atlantic Region’s 2026 Florida AKA Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Designed to ignite civic engagement and amplify the collective voice of AKA members, the event brought together a diverse group of individuals, including Regional Director Hon. Tiffany Moore Russell, sorority members, community leaders, and legislators, to spotlight solutions for ending hunger across the state.
Sky spoke during a press conference hosted by State Senator Rosalind Osgood. Sen. Osgood, an AKA member, highlighted ongoing efforts to address food insecurity, including legislation she has introduced to support college students facing hunger. Throughout the day, Sky connected with sorority members and community partners committed to strengthening access to nutrition for children and families.
In the evening, Sky traveled to Gadsden County for the sorority’s Longest Table event, where approximately 50 families—along with AKA members, school officials, and volunteers—gathered for a community meal and conversation at Havana Magnet School. She shared remarks on the importance of expanding access to meals for kids and engaged with attendees interested in deepening local efforts to end childhood hunger.
No Kid Hungry is grateful for our growing partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and for the opportunity to collaborate with leaders across the South Atlantic Region who are dedicated to ensuring every child has the food they need to thrive.
Prior to these events, No Kid Hungry staff presented on a regional webinar to help prepare members for AKA Day at the Capitol by sharing food insecurity data, key messaging strategies, and policy issues affecting children and families in Florida. In the coming months, No Kid Hungry staff will participate in the South Carolina and Georgia Day at the Capitol events and host a workshop at the South Atlantic Region’s 73rd Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, where approximately 5,000 of the region’s 30,000 members will convene. This partnership began last April at the 72nd South Atlantic Regional Conference in Tampa, FL.
At No Kid Hungry, that's our promise. If it sounds simple, that's because it is.
That doesn’t mean ending childhood hunger is easy. We know what works, and we’ve made extraordinary progress for kids and families.
But the job isn’t done, and won’t be done until we’ve met that promise and every single child in America has the food they need to grow up healthy and strong.
Through our No Kid Hungry campaign, we’ve helped schools and communities across the country feed millions of children. Our strategies and programs work; we’ve seen incredible success, despite the scope of the problem. Far more children today have access to healthy meals programs in their schools and their neighborhoods, thanks in part to our work.
The No Kid Hungry campaign helps communities feed kids through grants, advocacy, and support for schools and families.
No Kid Hungry is helping children…
- Today by meeting their immediate needs through school and summer meals programs.
- Tomorrow by decreasing food insecurity through accessing benefits programs like SNAP and WIC.
- Forever by addressing the root causes of hunger, like poverty and economic inequality.
Share Our Strength
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. After 25 years of successfully investing in local nonprofits and helping find the best approaches to eradicating poverty and hunger, Share Our Strength launched No Kid Hungry in 2010.
As a child hunger organization, ending childhood hunger is our primary focus, though Share Our Strength continues to invest in and develop other campaigns.
In our work, the team at Share Our Strength believes in some specific values. We strive to be bold; we have a clear mission and ambitious goals. We believe everyone has a strength to share and we try to mobilize people. We demand a diversity of ideas, people and communities, which leads to stronger solutions. We believe in always being inventive - trying new things and challenging the status quo. Last but not least, we value doing good work and have a good time while we’re at it.
Learn more about Share Our Strength and our other work at ShareOurStrength.org.
Federal Food Programs
One of the most effective ways to help families and children is through federal nutrition programs.
Some of the nutrition programs you may be familiar with are SNAP, WIC and the national school lunch program. These are critical lifelines for families experiencing economic hardship.
No Kid Hungry supports these important programs, though we focus our efforts on other federal programs that we know can make an enormous difference for kids in families facing hunger, such as the school breakfast program, the national summer meals program, and SNAP.
No Kid Hungry's Center for Best Practices is comprised of program, policy, and innovation experts committed to ending hunger in the US by providing information and resources to stakeholders, conducting programmatic and policy research and analysis, and testing promising ideas to identify emerging best practices.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with newsletters from the Center for Best Practices.
This resource page offers an accessible overview of the key nutrition programs that support children and families throughout the year. It brings together clear explanations, official guidance, and practical information on how these programs work, who they serve, and how they improve access to healthy meals both during the school year and over the summer. Whether you're looking to understand eligibility, meal service models, or the broader purpose of federal child nutrition efforts, this page provides a concise starting point to help you navigate the landscape and find the resources you need.
SUN Bucks / Summer EBT: SUN Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per income-eligible school-age child when school is out for summer. SUN Bucks can be used to purchase food from authorized retailers in participating states, Tribes, and territories. It may also be known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (or Summer EBT) in certain locations.
The official USDA Summer EBT Official Website explains how the Summer EBT grocery-benefit program works, who is eligible, and how much assistance families can receive.
Congregate: Food service at which meals are provided to children and are consumed on site in a supervised setting.
Non-Congregate: Food service at which meals are provided for children to consume all components off-site. Must be operated at sites designated "rural" with no congregate meal service.
USDA Summer Non-Congregate describes a flexible summer meal option for rural or underserved communities.
The school meals programs -- the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) -- are federal programs created by Congress. Congress sets the basic structure, rules, and funding for the programs. NSLP and SBP are entitlements, meaning that the federal government will fully cover the reimbursement funds for meals served to eligible students. The federal government also provides administrative funds to states according to a formula based on federal program expenditures in prior years.
Eliminating Reduced Price
Make school meals free for students who would otherwise pay a reduced price, either by expanding eligibility or by covering the copay through school or state funds
Breakfast
Kids do better when they start the day with a nutritious meal. Research shows that the simple act of eating school breakfast can change a child’s life. Making school breakfast a seamless part of the morning by serving it after the official start of the school day can have positive impacts on students and classrooms.
Lunch
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
Community Eligibility Provision
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a school meal funding option of the National School Lunch Act that enables schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. Schools receive funding based on a formula that relies on data from other sources, such as SNAP and TANF, so families no longer have to submit applications reporting household income.
USDA Economic Research Service — Child Nutrition Programs
This page gives an overview of the major federal child-nutrition efforts — like school breakfast and lunch, after-school care, daycare meals, and summer food — that help
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the United States’ largest federal nutrition program, helping feed about 40 million people each year. It is also the largest child anti-hunger program - nearly half of SNAP recipients are children and two-thirds of SNAP benefits go to households with children.
WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a short-term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors in a targeted, high-risk population.
This advocacy hub is designed to equip Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region members with the tools and resources needed to influence policies that connect children to the meals they need to thrive. Here you will find state and regional webinars, fact sheets, state overviews, data on food insecurity and child nutrition programs, template letters in support of federal nutrition programs, and resources highlighting initiatives such as Summer EBT and the financial impact of adopting these programs at the state level.
Check back often for new and updated tools to help ensure no child goes hungry in your state.
Hosted by: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region & No Kid Hungry
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region hosted an empowering conversation on how advocacy amplifies commitment to service. This session explored the intersection of policy and community impact, highlighting the partnership with No Kid Hungry and Denny’s to fight childhood hunger. Additionally, the session equipped members to advocate meaningfully during the Days at the Capitol and to communicate with policymakers in ways that drove understanding and action. Participants learned practical strategies for engaging in advocacy within IRS guidelines, discovered the power of storytelling, and saw how their voices could help expand access to nutrition programs for children and families in need. Together, we turned passion into purpose and service into systemic change.
Objectives
• By the end of this webinar, participants were able to:
• Understand the AKA–No Kid Hungry partnership and its role in addressing childhood hunger
• Learn how advocacy complemented community service, using Summer EBT as a case study
• Explore effective advocacy techniques, including engaging elected officials and influencing policy
• Harness the power of storytelling to make advocacy personal and impactful
• Identify actionable steps to support federal nutrition programs and promote equity in access to healthy meals
Speakers:
• The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., Regional Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region
• Nia Brown, Corporate Partnerships Chairman, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., South Atlantic Region
• Monique Frazier, Partner, Capitol Counsel
• Rhonda Jackson, Director, No Kid Hungry Louisiana
• Meredith Jorss, Associate Director, Advocacy
• Briana Webster Campbell, Managing Director, No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices
To learn more about the presenters and their insights, please review the speaker biographies and slide deck from this webinar.
Advocating with Impact Webinar
January 11, 2026
Webinar Description:
No Kid Hungry partnered with the Florida AKA Day at the Capitol Virtual Advocacy Day on Sunday, January 11, 2026, for an engaging session on why childhood hunger demands urgent action in Florida. This session introduced No Kid Hungry and our partnership with the South Atlantic Region of AKA Sorority, Inc., and grounded the conversation in both national and Florida-specific data on food insecurity. We broke down the current food security landscape in Florida, identified key policy and program priorities, and walked through No Kid Hungry’s advocacy strategy at the state and national levels. Participants left with clear, practical messaging tools and concrete actions to help AKA members advocate effectively and drive meaningful progress toward ending childhood hunger across Florida.
Objectives:
• Introduce No Kid Hungry and our partnership with AKA Sorority Inc., South Atlantic Region
• Confront why childhood hunger demands action
• Review key policy and programmatic priorities that reduce food insecurity
• Examine national and Florida-specific statistics on childhood hunger and poverty
• Learn about No Kid Hungry’s strategy nationally and within Florida
• Explore Florida’s policy and food security landscape
• Gain practical messaging tools to advocate on childhood hunger effectively
• Identify actionable steps AKA members can take to make an impact in the fight against childhood hunger
Speakers:
• Briana Webster Campbell, Managing Director, No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices
• Meredith Jorss, Associate Director of Advocacy, No Kid Hungry
• Sky Beard, Florida Director, No Kid Hungry
To learn more about the presenters and their insights, please review the speaker biographies and slide deck from this webinar.
No Kid Hungry Florida
Learn more about No Kid Hungry Florida and explore ways you can ensure no child goes hungry in your community, and learn how you can engage key decision-makers
South Carolina Letter Writing Campaign
This template letter is designed to make it easy for advocates to weigh in at a critical moment for children and families in South Carolina. When many people send clear, consistent messages to the Governor and state legislators, it reinforces the urgency of opting into SUN Bucks and shows broad, statewide support for the program. This letter balances a unified policy case with space for individual voices, helping decision-makers understand both the scale and the real-world impact on constituents. Thank you for making your voices heard!
No Kid Hungry South Carolina
Join No Kid Hungry South Carolina in the mission to end childhood hunger. Find out how you can support local efforts, connect with influential leaders, and ensure every child has access to the nutritious meals they deserve.
No Kid Hungry Georgia
More than 23% of children in Georgia live in “food-insecure” homes.
Discover how No Kid Hungry Georgia is fighting childhood hunger and explore meaningful ways to make a difference in your community—whether through action, advocacy, or engagement with key decision-makers.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, boasts a powerful legacy of leadership, with many of its members serving as elected officials at local, state, and national levels. From mayors and judges to members of Congress, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® women continue to shape policies and advocate for social justice. Get involved in the civic process by attending town hall meetings, participating in 'Day at the Capitol' events, collaborating with other public service organizations, and advocating for crucial social and societal issues like childhood hunger and poverty.
These are a few of the many South Atlantic Region AKA members advancing their communities through elected public service:
Florida
- Rep. Frederica Wilson
- Hon. Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq.
- Hon. Rosalind Osgood
- Sen. Dr. Barbara Sharief
- Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis
- Sen. Tracie Davis
- Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson
- Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips
Georgia
- Rep. Nikema Williams
- Mayor Rochelle Robinson
- Rep. Carolyn Hugley (District 141)
- Rep. Anissa Jones (District 143)
- Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick (District 95)
- Rep. Inga Willis (District 55)
South Carolina
More than 400 Majors are committed to the Mayors Alliance
In cities across America, mayors are working to feed children in their communities. But they’re also working together in partnership with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign as The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger – sharing ideas, learning what works and speaking out on behalf of kids.
We are building a strong, nonpartisan cohort of national Mayoral champions for ending child hunger. We are harnessing the collective voice of Mayors to drive change at the state and national level.
Whether attending No Kid Hungry culinary events or supporting partners in the culinary and hospitality industries, together we can raise the funds and awareness needed to end childhood hunger.
Taste the Nation
A celebration of community, featuring some of the top culinary talents in a city near you. Enjoy exceptional eats, curated drinks, entertainment and more! Taste of the Nation is the country’s premier culinary event series for a cause. Join us in a city near you, and enjoy culinary creations crafted by celebrated chefs and mixologists all united to support No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America.
Chef Cycle
The culinary community unites to end childhood hunger, enduring a 2-day, 200 mile ride to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry.
Chefs Cycle isn’t a race - it’s a celebration of your dedication to fundraising for No Kid Hungry. Whether you're a professional chef, a food enthusiast, a hospitality professional, or a No Kid Hungry advocate, there’s a place for you here.
During the two-day ride through Bend, Oregon, riders support one another, with experienced cyclists helping beginners, and everyone crossing the finish line at their own pace.
Daily 100-Mile Routes: Take on the challenge of the full century ride for an unforgettable experience.
Daily 100-Kilometer Routes: Opt for the slightly shorter (approx. 60-mile) route that still offers a great challenge.
No Kid Hungry Dinners
A culinary experience to inspire, enjoy a multi-course dinner crafted by the country's top chefs with exquisite pairing. No Kid Hungry Dinners are the country’s premier culinary event series for a cause. Join us in a city near you, and enjoy culinary creations crafted by celebrated chefs and sommeliers, all united to support No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America.
Our grant funding goes to pay for everything from refrigerators to delivery trucks – whatever schools and communities need to feed kids. In addition to grants, No Kid Hungry works to change policies and systems - at the federal, state and local levels - so that more kids get the food they need.
Impact Map
The CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger is a transformative, urgent movement uniting powerful leaders and brands across industries. The Pledge will revolutionize the fight against childhood summer hunger, increasing the number of children receiving summer meals from 2.8 million to 30 million nationwide.
Check out our CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger.
For seasonal promotions, please check our Brands that Give page to see how different corporate partners are encouraging their guests and consumers to support No Kid Hungry.
Check out our Brands That Give page.
Check Out Ways Your Employees Can Give
We can also support employee engagement in ways that reflect your team culture, from hosting a lunch-and-learn about our work to organizing friendly, time-bound fundraising campaigns between offices.