'Sesame Street' unveils muppet to teach kids about hunger

[Ubiquitous]

by James Hibberd

Sesame Street has a new muppet who is hungry for more than just cookies.

The iconic kids show is set to unveil a new impoverished puppet named
Lily, whose family faces an ongoing struggle with hunger issues. Lily
will be revealed in a one-hour Sesame Street primetime special, Growing
Hope Against Hunger, which is being sponsored by Walmart. The special
will star country singer Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams
Paisley, as well as the Sesame Street Muppets.

“Food insecurity is a growing and difficult issue for adults to discuss,
much less children,” said the Paisleys in a statement. “We are honored
that Sesame Street, with its long history of tackling difficult issues
with sensitivity, caring and warmth asked us to be a part of this
important project.” [snort]

The special will share the stories of real-life families to raise
awareness of hunger issues in the United States, as well as strategies
that have helped these families find food. [I doubt 'moving in with
Oscar' is one] The United States Department
of Agriculture estimates that 17 million American children — nearly 1 in
4 — have limited or uncertain access to affordable and nutritious food.
Walmart is sponsoring the show as part of a $1.5 million grant toward the
initiative and holding screenings in select communities.

The special is set to air nationwide on Oct. 9.


--
"If Barack Obama isn't careful, he will become the Jimmy Carter of the
21st century."

[John Gilmer]

On 10/6/2011 4:57 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
> by James Hibberd
>
> Sesame Street has a new muppet who is hungry for more than just cookies.
>
> The iconic kids show is set to unveil a new impoverished puppet named
> Lily, whose family faces an ongoing struggle with hunger issues. Lily
> will be revealed in a one-hour Sesame Street primetime special, Growing
> Hope Against Hunger, which is being sponsored by Walmart. The special
> will star country singer Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams
> Paisley, as well as the Sesame Street Muppets.

Jay Leno commented on this story. He pointed out that one character
already lived in a garbage can!

I have weakened and brought in canned and packaged food to school &
church but the entire system is silly.

Typically, a well meaning person buys an extra can or package of food at
RETAIL and in most states pays some sales tax. He takes it to
school/church. When that institution gets enough food, a volunteer
with a P/U truck takes it over to a collection/processing center where
other volunteers sort the donations out putting, for example, all the
soup in one section. Then other volunteers make up distribution
packages containing a balanced mix for distribution to those who need
the food.

The silly part is where the churches/school ask for FOOD rather than
ca$h. With ca$h they can BUY what they really need in carton multiples
and not pay any tax. The food will be delivered directly to the "food
bank" in case lots which can be quickly stacked in the right section.

But the retail stores LOVE the idea of donating food purchased at retail.

I know people who are involved in the "back office" portion of this
process and they tell me the needs are there. No one is literally
starving (a few folks actually did in the Great Depression) but many
folks are short of ca$h and the food contributions let them hang in
there a bit longer.