Gov. Robert Bentley recently signed a proclamation officially designating Dec. 25 as “Christmas Sunday: The Day Alabama Feeds Every Child.”

The Christmas Sunday initiative is a fundraising effort created by ALAbundant, a Cullman-based nonprofit. The purpose is to shed light on ending child hunger through contributions to food banks and charities. The state’s eight food banks, which are in geographically strategic locations, distribute food to the hungry in all 67 counties.

The following are specific actions ALAbundant encourages Alabamians in every municipality and county to consider for reducing child hunger:

• Tell your personal story of child hunger to eliminate the stigma and give hope;

• Ask your church to give a “love offering” on Christmas Sunday;

• Create a weekend food backpack program for children receiving free/reduced fee school lunch; contact ALAbundant for details including registering with a food bank for bulk purchasing;

• Put your compassion into action by volunteering at a food bank;

• Teach or sponsor cooking classes and purchase cooking videos for your public library;

• Plant an Alabama vs. child hunger victory garden;

• Research the child hunger problem in your county and brainstorm solutions; or

• Make a donation at www.ALAbundant.org.