America's Kids was founded by Richard Wasson in early 2012. A long time advocate in the fight against childhood hunger, Richard was instrumental in helping the Made In Oklahoma Coalition develop a branded paper towel product in 2006, designed to generate donations for the local food banks in Oklahoma. After seeing firsthand the positive impact the MIO program had in Oklahoma, and after hearing retailers in other markets share their desire to be involved in a similar program, Richard knew it was time to think beyond Oklahoma and create a solution that would work in any corner of the country. To that end, America's Kids was born.

In the process of creating the America's Kids paper towel product, Richard formed the America's Kids Foundation, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, to manage distribution of all donations generated from sales of the product. The sole purpose of the Foundation is to provide a sustainable income source for local food banks, to assist in their daily efforts to feed as many children and families as possible.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Richard has a heart for those in need. An accomplished business executive, working in the food and products good industry for many years, Richard has a proven track record for building strong relationships and managing complex business structures. His fierce commitment to America's Kids, coupled with his unwavering passion to help end childhood hunger in America, will help ensure America's Kids becomes a household brand of choice for people everywhere.

“We are confident America's Kids will be successful in fulfilling its mission to create a sustainable income source to fight childhood hunger in America. We have seen this concept work first hand at the state level, generating over $150,000 in donations for Oklahoma food banks over the past few years. America's Kids provides an easy and affordable way for people to get involved and make a difference in the life of a child.

We've known Richard Wasson a long time and are confident in his ability to make this happen. His passion for this cause knows no bounds. By partnering with local food banks, his model ensures local commitment and community involvement in the program. We are excited to see where this leads and believe the impact will be significant.”

Rodney Bivens, Executive Director
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Richard and his wife live in Jenks, Oklahoma.

To learn more about America's Kids, contact us at info@AmericasKids.org.

America's Kids paper towels are manufactured and distributed by Orchids Paper Products Company in Pryor, Oklahoma. www.OrchidsPaper.com

America's Kids paper towels made their retail debut in Fall 2012 in approximately 800 Walmart stores throughout the south central United States. As a direct result, America's Kids Foundation made cash donations to local food banks in the communities where those paper towels were purchased.

Imagine what will happen when 800 stores become 8,000 or 18,000, and retailers everywhere are stocking America's Kids paper towels. The impact will be swift and significant.

Please ask your local grocery stores, or anywhere you purchase paper towels, to consider stocking America's Kids paper towels. With every order they place, local food banks will be provided additional resources to help fund and sustain their child hunger programs. Together, we can do this!

America's Kids paper towels are manufactured and distributed by Orchids Paper Products, named in November 2012 to Forbes List of “100 Best Small Companies.”

www.orchidspaper.com

1. Buy America's Kids paper towels. If your retailer does not stock them, please make it a point to request them. The more stores that carry the product, the bigger the impact will be for local food banks. More sales = increased donations = more meals for more kids.
2. Help build the buzz. Please tell your friends and family. Get your church or community group involved. Ask local media to talk about it.
3. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to help grow a community of like-minded people who want to help in the fight against childhood hunger.
4. Submit ideas, thoughts, feedback and suggestions. We certainly don't pretend to have all the answers! Please let us know what's happening in your community and let us know how we can better serve you.
5. Cash donations accepted. You can also donate directly to your local food bank and earmark your donation for their child hunger programs.

Use PayPal to donate now!

For more information about child hunger in America, or to see what programs are available, please visit www.FeedingAmerica.org.

America's Kids + The consumer + Retailers + Food banks = The result: More meals for more children

Solving the problem of childhood hunger in America cannot be accomplished by any one group or organization. In fact, it may never be solved entirely, due to the factors that create it in the first place. But it can be addressed and, together, we can make a significant and sustainable difference for children across America.

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1. STEP 1 Retailers purchase and stock America's Kids paper towels. Please ask for them in a store near you!
2. Step 2 Consumers choose America's Kids when shopping for paper towels. If we can grow the demand by “cleaning the shelves” at retail stores, retailers are more likely to keep America's Kids paper towels in stock.
3. Step 3 Donations are generated for local food banks from every retail order placed. 30 cents from each 6-pack of paper towels sold = two or more meals for children in your community.

Everyone can help! Please help spread the word. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to help keep the conversation going and growing.

Resource Links:

• www.FeedingAmerica.org

14 million american children struggle daily with hunger

How can a child focus on solving a math problem or memorizing a new word when she or he is trying to ignore the persistent pangs of hunger?

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Across the country, teachers and school nurses have found that in some instances, Monday morning comes and they are forced to compete against hunger for the attention of their students. More than 18 million children qualify for free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program, the fuel that they need to get them through the week.

What happens to these children when they go home over the weekend?

Unfortunately, for many children, hunger isn't just an occasional missed meal; it is a way of life. Children who live with hunger develop physically and socially at a slower pace than their peers. Chronically hungry children experience higher levels of anxiety, hyperactivity, irritability and aggression. Chronic hunger results in students with lower attendance rates at school and lower academic performance. Even relatively short-term nutritional deficiencies can negatively impact a child's health, causing cognitive and developmental damage that prevents them from performing at their full potential.

We believe children have better things to worry about than hunger.

Sources

• www.FeedingAmerica.org
• www.RegionalFoodBank.org

The marketing team at America's Kids wants to help any way we can to help rally support for this program in your community. As we work with local partners to drive awareness for the program, and identify best practices with retailers and other food banks across the U.S., we will post that information here, along with helpful templates, design elements, promotional ideas, etc.

Please check back periodically to see what new tools and resources have been added.

If you need immediate assistance or have suggestions or ideas, please email dot@americaskids.org. Let's discuss.

America's Kids paper towels are manufactured and distributed by Orchids Paper Products Company in Pryor, Oklahoma. www.orchidspaper.com