There are nearly 17 million kids in the United States who encounter hunger at any given time throughout the year, and more than one in five children doesn’t know where their next meal will come from – that’s a tragic figure and something none of our little ones should ever have to worry about. What if that was your child, or someone in your child’s class?

GenerationOn, the national youth service enterprise of Points of Light, launched the What Will You Bring to the Table? child hunger initiative this week to mobilize youth nationwide to address child hunger in the U.S. The initiative is not just about food drives; it’s about compassion, education, awareness and encouraging kids and teens across the country to engage their communities and friends to bring collective action to this critical issue through creative and fun, youth-driven service projects.

Now through April 30, generationOn, the youth division of Points of Light is calling on young people across the country to bring their ideas, creativity and passion to the table to help end child hunger.

“We know that youth of all ages have the power and ingenuity to make their mark on complex issues like hunger,” said Concetta Bencivenga, executive director at generationOn. “And, with the help of presenting sponsor ConAgra Foods and corporate partners – Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. and Arby’s Foundation, Hasbro, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, the Hub Network and others – we want to ignite the passion and creativity of young people who want to have an impact on child hunger in their communities.”

Child hunger can’t be solved by one group alone and requires a multitude of entities in collaboration – government, nonprofit, corporate, youth clubs, schools, families, and the media – to come to the table together to work on solutions.  Food drives and fundraising are only one part of the equation, in addition to legislative action and policy change, as expressed in the new documentary by Participant Media, “A Place at the Table.”