California dairy organizations, farmers partner with Feeding America for new campaign
The #FoodForThought campaign highlights acts of kindness while inspiring and encouraging people to give back to their community.
Left to right: Ana Martinez, volunteer director, LA Regional Food Bank; Trent DeGroot, Rockview Farms; Essie Bootsma, California dairy farmer; Jaime Camil, actor; Jose Perez, Rockview Farms; Roger Castle, chief development officer, LA Regional Food Bank; and Matt Bomer, actor. (Photo by Rachel Murray Framingheddu for CMPB/Getty Images.)
Committed to helping California families facing hunger, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), creators of “got milk?”and toma leche, and the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), representing California dairy farm families, announced a partnership with Feeding America to help provide 1 million meals and 1 million servings of milk through the launch of #FoodForThought. The new campaign highlights acts of kindness while inspiring and encouraging people to give back to their community.
More than 4.2 million people in California face hunger, and that number is rising, Tracy, Calif.-based CMAB said. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased need for food assistance in communities across the country. #FoodForThought is dedicated to recognizing the myriad acts of kindness displayed by individuals and groups committed to serving communities — from preparing meals for families to surprising and delighting friends with milk and cookie drops and much more. Starting this week, with a donation of 1 million servings of milk from California dairy farm families, each #FoodForThought mission of kindness post shared and engaged with on Instagram that mentions @gotmilk through September 30 will help contribute meals toward the accompanying 1 million meals goal.
“This initiative naturally leans into who we are, what we do and what makes milk special — wholesome, nutritious, comforting — while giving people a reason to share positivity by joining a good cause that helps mitigate the uncertainty some families feel when it comes to their next meal,” said Steve James, executive director of CMAB and visionary leader of “got milk?”. “Our state has a population in need, with many who can give. So, whether you can give a lot, give a little, give kindness, give love — as neighbors, we know there’s strength in coming together.”
To launch the campaign with the first #FoodForThought act of kindness at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, “got milk?” enlisted the help of actor, producer, director and father of three Matt Bomer, and Brazilian-Mexican actor, television personality and father of two Jaime Camil. Bomer and Camil joined “got milk?”/toma leche and California dairy farmers to shadow veteran volunteers for a behind-the-scenes look at the impactful and profound work happening at Feeding America member food banks. During the visit, they honored volunteers with a meal and special care package and presented a $300,000 donation to Feeding America from California dairy farmers to fund over 1 million servings of milk in California communities, CMAB said.
“California dairy farmers put their heart and soul into providing a wholesome product and ensuring it is accessible to all communities. It pains farmers to see so many children and families struggling with hunger and they are grateful to do something to help,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “Each small act of kindness — from volunteering time at a food bank to providing a meal or a smile to a neighbor — feeds positivity and hope in communities. We hope this initiative also fuels ongoing support for organizations like Feeding America in their service to help families in need.”
The #FoodForThought donations will be coordinated by Feeding America to 17 of its member food banks and their network of feeding programs in California. Learn more about #FoodForThought and ways to donate/help by visiting gotmilk.com, tomaleche.com and realcaliforniamilk.com, or by following @gotmilk @tomaleche @realcalifmilk or #FoodForThought on Instagram. Direct donations may be made through milklife.com/give.
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