Josephine Lange, a senior at Hamilton High School, and Olivia Zepeda, a sophomore at Hamilton High School, were among 20 middle and high school students from throughout Montana that have been selected to serve on the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council and tackle the issue of childhood hunger with Governor Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock.
The youth leaders convened recently in the Governor’s Office at the Montana State Capitol for a full-day retreat, where the youth leaders participated in project management training and discussed solutions to tackling childhood hunger in communities across Montana.
“Ending childhood hunger is one of the most solvable problems we confront. It’s truly incredible to see these youth leaders take part in a movement where they make a difference to their classmates and friends,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “This effort is valuable and it’s done the Montana way – by talking to our neighbors and seeking community-specific solutions.”
“Now in its third year, it’s always inspiring to see these youth leaders help us in this fight to ensure kids in Montana know where their next meal is coming from,” First Lady Lisa Bullock said. “It takes concerned community members and students, like those who serve on this council, to make an impact – and fortunately, this is an issue where we all can really make a difference.”
Hosted by the Governor’s Office of Community Service, these students are tasked with raising awareness of the issue of childhood hunger in their respective schools and communities. Members of the council will spend the following months organizing and implementing projects which will culminate into Fight Childhood Hunger Week, April 17-23, 2017.
This marks the third year that students have participated on the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council. Last year, youth leaders organized a total of 30 projects in 16 communities across the state. Students formed weekend backpack and elementary school snack programs at their schools, hosted fun runs that turned out entire communities, and organized food drives, fundraisers, community discussions, and more.