Amy Guerrieri was shocked when she saw an ABC news report revealing what they called “Hidden America” – families living in the Appalachian mountains struggling to survive with little food, and no running water or electricity. As founder of Rockin’ Water, an all-natural children’s beverage, she was no stranger to gathering partners and organizing people. She took these skills and started a non-profit called RAMP with the mission to provide healthy food to the impoverished people of central Appalachia.

Not Out of the Woods Yet

RAMP has focused its attention in Martin County, where 45 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and more than 70 percent of students receive free or reduced price lunches at school. Often, that free lunch is the only meal that students have all day.

Why We Love It

RAMP cares not only about giving enough food, but also about providing nourishing food. RAMP has built salad bars into school lunch lines, opened a food pantry, and constructed a community garden and chicken coop worked by the families who benefit from their bounty. They’re also teaching children how to grow their own food through gardening programs at school.

Packed With Hope

Because Appalachian children are most likely to suffer from hunger over the weekends, RAMP developed the Backpack Snack Program. Twice a month, more than 360 children are sent home on Fridays with a backpack of food to get them through until Monday.

Martin County isn’t the only Appalachian community where the suffering is deep. The good news is you can help, and so can your kids. Check out ways you can make a difference together.