Social Enterprise Addressing Childhood Hunger

In Dane County, Wisconsin, 1 in 6 children experience hunger. In Madison, WI, that means around 7,500 children are hungry. This is a detrimental issue as children who face hunger at a young age are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, lag in language and motor skills, and experience behavioral and social problems.

Data on childhood hunger and the effects of childhood hunger were studied to understand the implications of childhood hunger on the trajectories of the lives of hungry children.​​ Existing models addressing childhood hunger were also analyzed to determine opportunities to meet the needs of hungry children in a differentiated manner. Using Design Thinking and iterations of the business model canvas, a social enterprise that reduces childhood hunger and builds community while giving children agency in the process was developed.

This social enterprise is an after-school program for economically disadvantaged Madison elementary school children that directly reduces hunger for children and their families. By addressing childhood hunger in elementary school children at a crucial time in development, this will change the trajectory of their lives by fostering early educational success. Success will look like a reduction in hunger, developmental and behavioral problems, tardiness, and truancy. This will also foster an increase in stability, trust, and sense of community while giving participants an opportunity to be actively engaged in the model. 

[For more details, please contact me.]