Governor, First Lady Bullock Convene 6th Annual Youth Leadership Council to Fight Childhood Hunger in Montana

Statement

Governor Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock today convened middle and high school students from throughout Montana to discuss the issue of childhood hunger in their communities. The 21 members represent middle and high schools in 15 different communities across Montana, from Billings and Box Elder to Olive and Forsyth, and will implement projects to address childhood hunger where they live.

"There is no excuse for children to go hungry in our state or in this country, yet it happens -- every day, in every community," said Governor Bullock. "That's why I'm so impressed with this group of dedicated students who have taken it upon themselves to become leaders in their communities and solve a problem that we know has a solution."

"These are leaders who recognize first-hand that students need full stomachs to learn, grow and reach their full potential, and who can make a real difference for their friends, neighbors, and community," said First Lady Bullock. "I know that with their service and dedication, we will get even closer to ending childhood hunger in Montana."

During the full-day retreat at the State Capitol, the youth leaders met with Governor and First Lady Bullock, learned about food insecurity in Montana, participated in leadership development and project management training, and began planning projects to address childhood hunger during Fight Childhood Hunger Week, April 13-19, 2020.

The Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council is now in its sixth year and is hosted by the Governor's Office of Community Service. Since 2014, over 110 students across Montana have raised over $64,000 and have helped nearly 10,000 Montanans with 174 different service projects through the Council. Past projects have included food drives, fundraising efforts, new school breakfast and weekend backpack programs, educational programs, and mobile applications.

2019-2020 Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council members:

-Carly Byrne, Billings, 12th Grade
-Zyanne Cervantes, Townsend, 12th Grade
-Kiniti Flood, Stanford, 11th Grade
-Kaden Heller, Reed Point, 10th Grade
-Kodee Henderson, Box Elder, 10th Grade
-Morgan Hubbard, Forsyth, 12th Grade
-Gabriela Jimenez, Helena, 7th Grade
-Lanie Keast, St Ignatius, 9th Grade
-Kori Kolka, Olive, 10th Grade
-Cayden Merchant, Billings, 10th Grade
-Ella Moore, Box Elder, 10th Grade
-Mara Old Person, Browning, 10th Grade
-BreeAnna Polk, Browning, 11th Grade
-Brynn Pule, St. Ignatius, 11th Grade
-J'Leanna Raining Bird, Box Elder, 10th Grade
-Rozlynn Seyler, Twin Bridges, 7th Grade
-Madalen Shipman, Dillon, 11th Grade
-Allie Skelton, Geyser, 10th Grade
-Cruz Sunchild, Box Elder, 10th Grade
-Allison Wipf, Bridger, 11th Grade
-Adie Woodhall, Stanford, 11th Grade

For more information about Youth Leadership Council or Fight Childhood Hunger Week, visit: fightchildhoodhunger.com.

The Governor's Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and community volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service. For more information please visit serve.mt.gov.

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