Share Our Strength joined Kevin Concannon, the USDA's under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, as well as Celebrity Chef John Currence, Arby's Foundation president Kate Atwood and No Kid Hungry ally Hunger Free Heartland to announce the 13 organizations chosen as No Kid Hungry Allies to connect kids to federal nutrition programs across the country.

The allies are located in 12 states.

"We are deepening our state impact in 2012 by partnering with 13 organizations in 12 states to launch the No Kid Hungry Allies program," said Tom Nelson, president of Share Our Strength. "The allies chosen demonstrated a commitment to making the No Kid Hungry campaign model work in their community which means bringing together governors, mayors, businesses, chefs, federal and state agencies, educators and community leaders to connect children at risk of hunger with food and nutrition programs where they live, learn and play."

More than 16 million children in the U. S. are at risk of hunger. The No Kid Hungry Allies program is part of the national No Kid Hungry campaign which helps connect kids to federal nutrition programs, paired with access to food education on how to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters.

"USDA's federal nutrition assistance programs provide a valuable safety net against hunger and are critical to the health and well being of many Americans, especially children," said USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "Public-private partnerships like the ones created through the No Kid Hungry campaign bring resources together and help us reach the goal of ending childhood hunger."

Organizations selected to be part of the No Kid Hungry Allies program receive a $25,000 grant to support their efforts to increase participation in federal food and nutrition programs including the School Breakfast Program and Summer Meals Programs.

In addition to the grant, these organizations will have access to the No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices and other resources, including consulting, educational and networking opportunities.

The No Kid Hungry Allies program is funded by Share Our Strength, with support from the Arby's Foundation.

"We believe that every child should have access to the food they need to learn, play and grow," said Kate Atwood, executive director of the Arby's Foundation. "That is why we are pleased to support the No Kid Hungry Allies program and believe strengthening the reach of the No Kid Hungry campaign will help ensure more communities across the country are one step closer to ending childhood hunger."

The list of No Kid Hungry Allies includes:

• Alabama - Bay Area Food Bank
• Maine - Preble Street
• Massachusetts - Project Bread
• Mississippi - Public Policy Center of Mississippi
• Missouri - Operation Food Search
• Nevada - Three Square
• Nebraska - Hunger Free Heartland
• New Hampshire - Children's Alliance of New Hampshire
• Ohio - Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks
• Ohio - Promedica
• Oregon - Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
• Pennsylvania - Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger
• South Carolina - The Lowcountry Food Bank

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