If you’ve ever walked into a room full of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® members, you know the energy is unmistakable—joyful, spirited, and ready to get things done. Now imagine channeling that same energy into a regional movement to end childhood hunger. That’s exactly what has happened across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, where No Kid Hungry and AKA’s South Atlantic Region have spent the past year building something truly special.
Since launching the partnership in April 2025, thousands of AKA members have stepped into advocacy, service, and leadership in important and new ways.
A Partnership Rooted in Community Power
The South Atlantic Region is the largest in all of AKA Sorority—home to more than 30,000 members. These are educators, faith leaders, business owners, nonprofit professionals, elected officials, and community champions. When they take action, entire communities feel it.
Together, No Kid Hungry and AKA’s South Atlantic Region co‑created a model that blends:
- AKA’s trusted community presence
- No Kid Hungry’s policy, storytelling, and data expertise
- Hands-on service through the Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP™) Program
- An advocacy infrastructure that makes it easy for members to take action
A Regional Advocacy Hub: Utilizing Tech to Reach the Masses
One of the biggest wins of the partnership has been the launch of a public-facing advocacy hub designed specifically for AKA members in the South Atlantic Region. With nearly 1,600 page views, it has become a one-stop shop for:
- State-specific childhood hunger data
- Advocacy toolkits and fact sheets on federal nutrition programs
- Webinars and event recaps
- Downloadable resources for taking action
- Fundraising opportunities
Advocacy in Action: From Webinars to Legislative Visits
AKA members didn’t just learn about advocacy—they showed up and walked the talk.
- Florida: AKA members and No Kid Hungry staff joined legislators at the state Capitol for a press conference highlighting the issue of childhood and college hunger. They also hosted a community “Longest Table” event, served dinner to families in Gadsden County, and restocked a local school’s food pantry—putting words into action.
- Georgia: More than 235 members joined a statewide No Kid Hungry–hosted advocacy webinar. Youth voices took center stage, including youth champion Jada Curd and two members of the HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Council.
- South Carolina: Over 300 AKA members participated in the state’s AKA Day at the Capitol and delivered nearly 2,500 letters to state legislators in support of Summer EBT. The day prior, dozens of elected officials attended a special AKA dinner and spoke about priority issues facing their communities.
Across all three states, members gained new skills in storytelling, policy engagement, and social justice advocacy—skills that can drive change not just in food security, but in any policy area.
Regional Conferences: Where Service Meets Scale
If you attended the 72nd or 73rd South Atlantic Regional Conference, you saw the sea of pink and green—and maybe even helped pack a CHIPP™ bag or two.
Across both conferences:
- 3,108 CHIPP™ bags were packed for Florida families
- More than 12,600 AKA members were exposed to No Kid Hungry’s work
- Workshops, press conferences, and a bustling vendor hall booth helped deepen engagement between No Kid Hungry staff and AKA members
One standout moment was the 2026 No Kid Hungry workshop, Purpose, Power & Passion: Storytelling for Social Justice, which helped members connect personal stories to broader advocacy goals. A highlight of the session was a facilitated discussion between No Kid Hungry staff and three AKA leaders who played pivotal roles in their states’ Day at the Capitol events. Their insights—each unique and inspiring—underscored a shared truth: stories, especially those of children and families, are catalysts for change.
What’s Working and Why It Matters
This partnership has proven that when service and advocacy work hand in hand, the impact multiplies.
Key strengths of the model include:
- Trusted messengers: AKA members are deeply rooted in their communities and already reaching children and families through ongoing service initiatives.
- Scalable infrastructure: The advocacy hub, trainings, and toolkits can be replicated nationwide.
- Youth engagement: Young advocates—high school and college students—are stepping into leadership roles to move policy.
- Systems-change focus: There is a concerted emphasis on policy solutions that create lasting impact for children and families.
What’s Next: Scaling a National Movement
The South Atlantic Region has shown what’s possible. With more than 390,000 AKA members worldwide, the potential for impact is enormous. This model is well-positioned to scale into a broader national movement that connects service, powerful storytelling, and policy change.
A Future Fueled by Hope and Action
Ending childhood hunger requires all of us to roll up our sleeves and get involved. School nutrition professionals, USDA and state agency staff, university partners, nonprofit leaders, researchers, K–12 educators, community advocates, librarians, elected and appointed officials, faith leaders, retirees, and partners like AKA all play a vital role. Each brings unique expertise, leadership, powerful voices, and collective strength to ensure kids have the food they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
The No Kid Hungry–AKA South Atlantic Region partnership is a powerful reminder that when communities unite around a shared mission, real change happens.
