Every day, Hunger Heroes band together across the Golden State to ensure kids have the food they need to dream of a brighter and more caring future. This year, we were honored to recognize school nutrition professionals, educators, custodians, school leaders and more.
There are thousands of examples we could point to, and though we can’t list them all here, our gratitude goes out to each and every hunger hero fighting to close the hunger gap and end childhood hunger. Thank you!
Here are some of the Californians who joined the League of Hunger Heroes this year:
- Billy Harris, Auctioneer, Emcee, Fundraiser
Billy Harris has been wowing corporate audiences throughout the United States and around the world for over 25 years. His razor-sharp timing and brilliant improvisational skills have made him one of the most sought-after Corporate MC’s in the business. A cousin of Vaudeville great Georgie Jessel, Billy has been performing his entire life. By the tender age of five and a half, he understood how to “work a room”. Harris has become the “go-to guy” in the culinary world. Harris is also a highly sought-after auctioneer who lends his comedic style to the auction block raising millions of dollars for charitable organizations, such as No Kid Hungry. Harris was recognized as No Kid Hungry Culinary Champion.
- Brenda Barker Andrews, Custodial Trades Supervisor, Morongo Unified School District
Ms. Barker-Andrews, a respected supervisor, exemplifies a can-do attitude, kindness, and respect. Her dedication to student wellness drives her work as custodial trades supervisor, where she fully supports the breakfast in the classroom program, ensuring every student receives a meal. Her leadership makes tasks more manageable, and without her, our mission would face significant challenges. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and recognize her as a true hunger hero, committed to student well-being.
- Desiree Hernandez, Site Supervisor at Oasis Elementary, Morongo Unified School District
Ms. Hernandez’s dedication as a site supervisor ensures smooth operations through her strong work ethic and friendly approach. Her positivity and eagerness to help others set her apart, tackling challenges with grace. As an advocate for school meal programs, she ensures students receive nutritious meals that meet dietary guidelines. Her initiative for breakfast in the classroom reflects her commitment to student well-being, helping students start their day right and encouraging healthy eating habits.
- Glen Woods, Nutrition Services Supervisor, San Bernardino City Unified School District
In his 19 years as Nutrition Services Supervisor at SBCUSD, Mr. Woods has shown exceptional leadership, growing nutrition programs and fostering a supportive work environment. His compassion drives his commitment to student well-being, highlighted by his leadership of the breakfast in the classroom initiative. Despite challenges, he successfully implemented it across six sites, demonstrating his dedication to improving student nutrition district-wide. Mr. Wood’s integrity, professionalism, and commitment to improvement make him indispensable, embodying the values of service and leadership.
- Irma Mondragon, Kitchen Operator at Bing Wong Elementary, San Bernardino City Unified School District
Mrs. Mondragon is a pioneering force in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, spearheading the introduction of breakfast in the classroom as one of the first Serving Kitchen Operators. Her innovative approach has led to a significant increase in breakfast participation, positively impacting student well-being. Through breakfast in the classroom, Irma ensures every student begins their day with a nutritious meal, fostering an environment conducive to academic success. Her dedication to student nutrition and the overall well-being of the school community is evident in her pioneering efforts, exemplifying her unwavering commitment to student success.
- James Powell, Principal of Morongo Valley Elementary, Morongo Unified School District
Principal Powell championed the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) initiative for the 2024-2025 school year, motivating teachers to adopt this vital program despite initial concerns. His ability to foster collaboration and create a supportive environment showcases his outstanding leadership qualities. The results of his efforts are evident, with a remarkable 95.5% increase in student participation in breakfast during the first 10 days of school compared to the previous year. This significant boost highlights the impact of proper nutrition on student outcomes and reflects Principal Powell’s dedication to ensuring every child has access to a healthy start each day.
- Jenny Ujiie, Principal of James Denman Middle School, San Francisco Unified School District
Principal Ujiie has an unwavering dedication to enhancing the school’s nutrition program. Her successful initiatives, like Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) and the pin pad system for school lunches, showcase her ability to implement effective changes and maintain program compliance. By collaborating closely with her assistant principals, she has secured essential administrative support and staffing, underscoring her dedication to prioritizing student nutrition and addressing hunger within the school.
- Jessica Miller, Ed.D, Principal of Oasis Elementary, Morongo Unified School District
Through the implementation of the breakfast in the classroom (BIC) program, Principal Miller has proactively addressed childhood hunger, ensuring that every child has access to a healthy breakfast. Her passion for nourishing children has greatly benefited her students and the entire school community. In addition to BIC, Principal Miller introduced a fresh fruit and vegetable program, further showcasing her commitment to nutritious food options. Her ability to inspire staff and colleagues to prioritize nutrition and health, along with her tireless efforts in combating childhood hunger, has made a lasting impact on her students’ lives.
- Jessica Morrow, Principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary, Desert Sands Unified School District
Understanding the importance of healthy meals, Principal Morrow successfully implemented the breakfast in the classroom (BIC) program, making her school the first in the district to adopt this initiative. This transformative program has resulted in a remarkable 300% increase in daily meal participation, addressing students’ nutritional needs. By fostering collaboration among teachers and custodians, Principal Morrow has highlighted the critical role of breakfast in student success, leading to improved engagement and reduced negative behaviors. You can watch a recent NBC Palm Springs clip of Kennedy Elementary’s BIC program.
- Karla Guzman, Principal of Georgia F. Morris Elementary, Rialto Unified School District
Principal Guzman played a pivotal role in implementing the breakfast in the classroom (BIC) program, which ensures that all students start their day with a nutritious meal, promoting academic success and personal growth. Principal Guzman also promotes collaboration by inviting neighboring school districts to observe her program’s success, reflecting her compassion and commitment to making a meaningful difference for children and families facing hardships.
- Kathleen Delgado, Dance Teacher at Barton Elementary, San Bernardino City Unified School District
Affectionately known as Dancin’ Delgado, Ms. Delgado is Barton Elementary’s devoted dance teacher, deeply committed to student well-being. Understanding the significance of a nutritious breakfast, she has taken proactive measures to ensure every student receives their morning meal promptly. With two totes in hand, she delivers breakfast to the classroom door by 8:45 a.m., ensuring students start their day with nourishment. After breakfast, she efficiently collects the totes, returning them to the cafeteria to repeat the process. Ms. Delgado’s unwavering dedication ensures no student misses out on a nutritious start.
- Kia
Kia is proud to partner with No Kid Hungry through their charitable initiative, Accelerate the Good. Thanks to the dedicated roster of more than 770 Kia dealers and hundreds of team members around the country, more kids in food insecure households will have access to the meals they need to thrive. Kia is committed to supporting communities across the U.S. and now, they’ve joined our fight to end childhood hunger. Kia was recognized as No Kid Hungry’s Corporate Champion.
- Mary Sue Milliken, Chef and Co-founder, Mundo Hospitality Group
She is a James Beard and Julia Child award recipient, cookbook author, media personality, food system activist, and co-owner of SOCALO, Alice B., BBQ Mexicana, Pacha Mamas, and Border Grill restaurants, catering, and food trucks. Chef Milliken was recognized as No Kid Hungry’s Chef Champion.
- Nailly Salib, Kitchen Operator at Virginia Primrose Elementary, Fontana Unified School District
Nailly Salib’s steadfast commitment to supporting school meals distinguishes her as an invaluable asset in her role as the cafeteria kitchen operator. Ensuring each meal is not only nutritious but also prepared with care, she cultivates a welcoming atmosphere for scholars. Nailly’s proactive initiatives, such as organizing monthly pizza days, alleviate hunger and foster community joy. Her exemplary leadership inspires exceptional service from staff, fulfilling the mission of nourishing scholars.
- Tricia Land, Assistant Principal of James Denman Middle School, San Francisco Unified School District
Assistant Principal Land played a vital role in enhancing the school’s dining experience through her attentive leadership. She actively gathers feedback from students and staff to inform decisions that enrich the overall program. Her proactive approach and strong organizational skills have resulted in significant improvements that align with the community’s preferences. Assistant Principal Land’s collaborative nature and focus on results have made a meaningful impact in the lives of students at Denman Middle School.
Ways You Can Help
You can ensure kids have the nutrition they need to thrive in and out of the classroom and reach their full potential in a variety of ways:
- Donate. $1 can help provide 10 meals* for kids. Your support will help us fund meal programs all over the country and help us advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need.” *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
- Speak up for kids. Reach out to your elected officials and ask them to do more to end childhood hunger. Tell your lawmaker to advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need.
Last updated: December 5, 2024