San Diego, CA – 7.21.2025 - A new initiative is turning children into real-life heroes with the launch of Hunger Action Heroes Unite!, a 28-page comic book and accompanying curriculum designed to teach young readers about the impacts of hunger and food waste while inspiring them to take action in their communities.
Created by Feeding San Diego in collaboration with local students, comic book author Dr. Janina Scarlett, and curriculum writer Jennifer Edstrom, the project brings the superhero theme to life in a way children can relate to. The characters, Hunger Halter and Demeter, were originally designed by local students in an art contest hosted in partnership with the Comic-Con Museum.
“These characters were created by kids for kids,” said Dana Williams, creator of Hunger Action Heroes Unite! “Our goal is to bring the comic book into homes and classrooms, helping children understand complex topics like hunger and climate change through engaging, digestible stories. We also hope to show that asking for help is okay and that everyone can make a difference.”
The comic book is paired with an educational curriculum that teaches four key lessons: the impact of hunger on health, the effects of food waste on the environment, empathy and social-emotional learning, and empowerment. Students can apply these lessons in a project-based learning experience called Become a Hunger Action Hero, where they put their knowledge into action through volunteering, food drives, and advocacy.
One notable example of the program’s impact comes from Creekside Elementary School in Poway. Fourth- and fifth-grade students completed the curriculum in November and quickly took action. In response to January wildfires in Los Angeles, they organized a school-wide food drive, collecting more than 807 pounds of food for Feeding San Diego, which was delivered to the LA Regional Food Bank.
The students continued their efforts by volunteering at Feeding San Diego in March, helping glean over 8,000 pounds of produce. By May, they organized a lemonade and snack stand fundraiser, raising over $900. Overall, the students helped provide more than 9,000 meals and rescued more than 10,000 pounds of good food from going to waste.
“This program shows the incredible impact students can have when they are empowered with knowledge and tools,” said Williams. “If schools across the country implemented this curriculum, the potential to fight hunger and prevent food waste is enormous.”
Feeding San Diego will also showcase Hunger Action Heroes Unite! at Comic-Con San Diego. A panel titled Empowering Kids to Fight Hunger and Food Waste will take place Thursday at 6:30 PM, moderated by content creator Carly Anderson. Panelists include Dr. Janina Scarlett, Jennifer Edstrom, a teacher from Creekside Elementary, and one of the students involved.
Parents, teachers, and community members can learn more and order the comic book and curriculum at HungerActionHeroes.org. The organization also offers volunteer opportunities, including a Saturday shift from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Feeding San Diego for those interested in joining the heroes in action.
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About Feeding San Diego:
Feeding San Diego is a nonprofit organization and a partner Food Bank of Feeding America, dedicated to ending hunger through food rescue and distribution programs across San Diego County.
