Youth Service America (YSA) has opened applications for two major 2026 opportunities aimed at empowering young people and educators to take meaningful action against childhood hunger. The Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants invite youth, teachers and community leaders to design and deliver impactful service projects that address food insecurity across local communities.
These initiatives form part of YSA’s wider mission to strengthen youth-led service, equip young changemakers and support schools in fostering civic engagement.
Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge
The Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge provides educators with a structured, easy-to-implement framework that encourages students to explore the issue of hunger and take collaborative action. Open to classrooms across the country, the challenge helps students connect learning with real-world impact and build skills in leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving.
How the Challenge Works
Educators complete three simple steps to participate:
- Step 1: Sign Up
Registration is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Teachers must sign up by February 6, 2026, to secure their classroom’s participation. - Step 2: Hold One Classroom Conversation
YSA provides short, guided prompts to support student reflection on hunger in their community. The discussion encourages young people to identify local needs and imagine how existing efforts can be strengthened. - Step 3: Students Take Action
Students design and implement a small, actionable project between November and February. Projects may include food drives, awareness campaigns, partnerships with local shelters or creative advocacy initiatives.
Classrooms then submit a short video—up to three minutes—by March 6, 2026, showcasing their work and its impact.
What Participants Receive
Educators and students who sign up gain access to:
- Ready-to-use classroom discussion guides
- Student action planning tools
- Resources to help evaluate and strengthen project impact
- Eligibility for recognition and potential grant opportunities
Why Join the Challenge?
The challenge is designed to:
- Encourage youth voice and leadership
- Help educators integrate service-learning into existing curricula
- Strengthen classroom communities by working toward a shared goal
- Raise student awareness about hunger and inspire sustained civic engagement
Timeline
- Classroom Sign-Up Deadline: February 6, 2026
- Student Project Period: November 2025 – February 2026
- Video Submission Deadline: March 6, 2026
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants 2026
YSA is now accepting applications for the 16th Annual Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants, a program that funds youth-led service and advocacy projects focused on ending childhood hunger. Applications are open until January 25, 2026.
With support from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, youth aged 5 to 25 can apply for grants to lead meaningful community projects during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day 2026.
About the Program
The grants support youth who are committed to addressing hunger through:
- Awareness initiatives
- Direct service activities
- Advocacy and policy efforts
- Philanthropic initiatives
Projects may include establishing community food pantries, organising meal distributions, fundraising for hunger-relief organisations, leading educational workshops or advocating for policy changes at local or state levels.
What YSA Is Looking For
Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Clear project goals and a strong plan for implementation
- Youth leadership at every stage
- Partnerships with schools, community groups or local organisations
- A meaningful contribution to ending childhood hunger
- A focus on measurable outcomes and community impact
Project Ideas and Tools
YSA provides planning templates, idea guides and step-by-step frameworks to support youth as they design effective, community-driven solutions. These tools help applicants assess community needs, build partnerships, create realistic timelines and measure progress.
How to Apply
Applicants must sign up to begin their application. Once registered, they will receive instructions, support materials and access to the application portal.
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026
Program Impact
The 2025 Program Impact Report highlights the success of previous youth-led projects, demonstrating how young changemakers can significantly reduce food insecurity through creative, community-focused action.
Get Involved
Educators, youth leaders and organisations are encouraged to explore both opportunities and support young people in creating lasting solutions to hunger. Whether through a classroom challenge or a youth-led grant project, these programs empower the next generation to lead with purpose and improve outcomes for children and families nationwide.
More information, sign-up links and application resources are available through Youth Service America.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
