Help Volunteers of America provide nutrition education

Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio provides many after-school programs to the communities we serve. In addition to tutoring and counseling, to name a few, Volunteers of America educates local youths on proper nutrition and exercise. As childhood obesity continues to affect children and adolescents in our country, know you can help! When you donate your car to Volunteers of America you’re backing services and programs such as nutrition education for area kids.

Healthy children grow up to become healthy adults

Childhood obesity has doubled in the last 30 years. Many might attribute this statistic to our nation’s larger-than-average meal portions, fast food, or less playtime outdoors, when it’s due, in part, to the lack of nutrition education. Nutrition education starts at home. However, when parents don’t have the time or the education themselves, it falls on the community’s shoulders — the community being schools and service providers such as Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio.

Being healthy and active isn’t a fad — it’s a lifestyle. The easiest way to commit to a life of overall health and wellness is to be taught at a young age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Schools play a critical role.” Schools are in a unique position in that they can afford students an opportunity “to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.”

Another factor at play in regard to the childhood obesity epidemic is having a widespread presence of “food deserts” in America. The USDA defines a food desert as, “A part of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas.” For as many grocery stores, farmers’ markets and health food providers that food deserts lack, that’s how many convenient or corner stores they have instead. “Local quickie marts provide a wealth of processed, sugar, and fat laden foods that are known contributors to our nation’s obesity epidemic,” says the American Nutrition Association.

Donate your car and combat childhood obesity

When you donate your car to Volunteers of America, you’re contributing to all of our programs and services. In this case, our after-school programs at The Youth Education Center offer a safe place for children to continue education after the bell has rung — specifically, nutritious meals education. Our First Lady has said, "Some kids have never seen what a real tomato looks like off the vine. They don't know where a cucumber comes from. And that really affects the way they view food.” So it’s important to teach future generations not only about exercise, portion control and moderation, but also about farming, gardening and agriculture — a few ways we can help them grow up a tad healthier.

To donate your car, complete the online form or call 1 (800) 862-6030. If you’re in the Columbus area, you can drop off your unwanted vehicle in person at our West Broad location. Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio also offers free, same-day towing in all 88 Ohio counties and from all major metropolitan areas, including Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo, Sandusky and Mansfield.

Volunteers of America accepts vehicles of all shapes and sizes — from cars and motorcycles to tractors and lawn mowers, even if they haven’t run in years. And when your vehicle is sold at auction, the proceeds are attributed to the communities we serve. If you don’t have a vehicle to donate, but you want to contribute, you can give back in whatever way is meaningful to you.