Feed the Need

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - May 2, 2011) - (Family Features) It's one thing to be hungry right now and wonder where to get a quick bite to eat. But it's quite another to face hunger every day and not know when -- or if -- food will be available for the next meal.

The Face of Hunger

• Food-insecure households lack consistent access throughout the year to adequate food for active healthy living for all household members. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest annual study measuring food security in the United States, 14.7 percent of households were food insecure in 2009.
• The "Hunger in America 2010" study showed that Feeding America is providing food to 37 million people, including 14 million children each year. That means that one in eight Americans now rely on Feeding America's network of more than 200 food banks for food and groceries.

Stamping Out Hunger
The Stamp Out Hunger drive is a nationwide effort to provide food to local food banks and pantries.

On the second Saturday of May, the nation's 300,000 letter carriers will collect food donations left at the mailboxes of generous Americans in more than 10,000 local communities and deliver them to regional food banks and local hunger relief organizations. The timing is important, because many organizations would otherwise face depleted food stocks during the summer months, which is when demand increases to meet the needs of children no longer being served breakfast and lunch by school programs.

How You Can Help
Helping Stamp Out Hunger is as easy as checking your mailbox. Just leave a bag of non-perishable food where your letter carrier normally delivers your mail on Saturday, May 14. Your letter carrier will then pick up and deliver the food to a local food bank. Examples of non-perishable items include:

• Canned soup
• Canned meats and fish
• Canned vegetables, fruits and juices
• Boxed goods (such as cereal)
• Pasta and rice

These items are not expensive and will go a long way toward helping others. For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger effort in your community, ask your letter carrier, contact your local post office or visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.

As part of Campbell's commitment to making a positive impact for its consumers and its community, the company is supporting Stamp Out Hunger by donating one can of soup to Feeding America (up to one million pounds) for each Facebook fan (Like) that joins the fight against hunger at www.facebook.com/StampOutHunger.

Budget Cooking Tips
Here are some creative ways to cook a good meal, save money and get the whole family involved.

• Double dinners: If you have time on the weekend, prepare a double batch of the family's favorite dinner with your kids. It's a great way for them to learn to cook, and even young ones can help. Set enough aside to serve that night and freeze additional batches for days when dinner has to happen in a hurry. Classics like lasagna and chili are perfect for making and freezing.
• Kids' night in the kitchen: If your kids are old enough (around 10 or 12), assign them a night for creating the family's dinner. Simple casseroles or skillets are easy for young chefs to assemble on their own and are inexpensive options.
• Interactive menu ideas: How about a fajita, taco, pasta or baked potato bar for dinner? All the ingredients are inexpensive, but the best part is that everybody has a good time building their own dinners.

Great Budget Meals
While not everyone is food insecure, many are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budgets. These recipes let you create a delicious dinner for four -- and they cost less than $10. Find more budget-friendly recipes at www.campbellskitchen.com.

Shape beef into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) burgers.

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add burgers and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove burgers from skillet. Pour off any fat.

Stir soup into skillet and heat to a boil. Return burgers to skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until burgers are cooked through. Top burgers with cheese and cook until cheese is melted. Serve burgers on buns with soup mixture for dipping.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with romaine salad tossed with fresh basil and Italian salad dressing. For dessert, serve orange slices.

Stir soup, water, rice, paprika and black pepper in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with chicken. Season with additional paprika and black pepper. Cover baking dish.

Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.