Thursday, August 7, 2025 
from 6-8 p.m.

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse
9101 Nall Ave
Prairie Village, KS 66207

Event is free, but we encourage attendees to bring nonperishable items for school lunches such as:

Hungry to Learn – The Crisis in Our Classrooms

Join us for an important conversation about how food insecurity is impacting students, educators, and the future of our communities.

When a child goes to school hungry, it’s not just their stomach that’s empty—it’s their sense of security, their ability to focus, and often, their hope for the future. Without consistent access to nutritious meals, these children face more than just hunger; they face a lifetime of obstacles. Imagine trying to learn, grow, and dream on an empty stomach. Hunger doesn’t just steal the moment—it steals potential, and with it, the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Sharice Davids

U.S. Congresswoman, Kansas 3rd District

Representative Davids was raised by a single mother, who served in the Army for 20 years. After graduating from Leavenworth High School, she worked her way through Johnson County Community College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City before earning a law degree from Cornell Law School. As a first generation college student who worked the entire time she was in college, Rep. Davids understands the importance of quality public schools and affordable higher education. It is that foundation that allowed her to go on to a successful career, focused on economic and community development, which included time as a White House Fellow under President Barack Obama. When she was sworn into the 116th Congress, Rep. Davids became one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress. Rep. Davids has centered her work in office on putting Kansans first, fighting to limit the influence of special interests, and making health care more affordable and accessible to everyone. She is a resident of Roeland Park.

Emily Hathaway

4th Grade Teacher, Whittier Elementary School

With 23 years of experience teaching in Title I schools, Emily Hathaway has worked closely with students and families navigating a wide range of challenges, including food insecurity. She has taught grades 2–5, served as a reading interventionist, mentored fellow educators, and currently leads district-wide professional development. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments and advocating for the needs of the whole child. One of the most powerful aspects of this work is witnessing the sense of happiness and security students feel when they know that, at school, all their needs—academic, emotional, and physical—will be met. Emily believes that ensuring all families have access to food is not only essential to student well-being but also foundational to their academic success.

Charlesetta Jackson

Community Resource Specialist Family School Liaison, New Chelsea Elementary

Charlesetta Jackson serves as the Community Resource Specialist and Family School Liaison at New Chelsea Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas, where she supports a student body of 570 children. With more than 14 years of experience in education, Charlesetta brings a deep commitment to student and family well-being, bridging school and community with compassion, and care.

She is a fierce advocate for youth, committed to uplifting their self-esteem, self-worth, and outlook on life to let each of them know they have someone in their corner cheering them on.

In 2021, she was honored with the Heart of a Champion award by Caring for Kids Network, in recognition of her dedication to the students, families, and staff of New Chelsea Elementary.

Charlesetta is fully invested in the lives of the young people she supports. Her life’s mission is simple and profound: “To help make other children’s lives better in any way possible.”

Amanda Jahnke

President, Hands to Hearts KC

Amanda Jahnke is a passionate community advocate, nonprofit leader, and creative professional with over 25 years of experience in marketing, branding, and design. She has been an officer of Hands to Hearts since its founding in 2019, playing a key role in its mission to provide food, books, and essential resources to children and families across Kansas City. Driven by a deep commitment to social impact, Amanda founded Serve the Block™, a grassroots nonprofit organization focused on uplifting underserved neighborhoods through direct outreach, community meals, and connections to housing and support services. Her ability to blend strategic communication with heartfelt service has helped build strong relationships with both local partners and the people she serves. Amanda’s work is rooted in empathy, creativity, and a belief that lasting change begins at the neighborhood level.

Grace Liss

Director of Food Services, Shawnee Mission School District

Grace Liss is the Director of Student Nutrition Services for Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, where she oversees meal operations across 47 school sites. With nearly 30 years of experience in school food service—including two decades with Wichita Public Schools, the largest district in the state—Grace has dedicated her career to ensuring that all students have access to healthy, nutritious meals.

As a former recipient of free school meals and a proud former farm girl, Grace is deeply aligned with the USDA’s mission to support child nutrition and well-being. She is a passionate advocate for the Buy American provision in school meal programs, recognizing its impact on both student health and the strength of American agriculture. Throughout her career, Grace has worked to uphold equity, operational excellence, and care in every cafeteria, believing strongly in the role that school meals play in a child’s ability to learn and thrive.

Blanca Villa

Mental Health Liaison, Guadalupe Centers

Stay tuned! More panelist info coming soon!

VISION SPONSOR

Debra & Allen Parmet