Champale Green-Anderson wasn't raised with wealth, but she remembers goodness all around her in north St. Louis. Today, through her grassroots effort called Sweetie and her organization Champ's Teardrops, she's become a vital neighbor and champion for the children of Penrose who face hunger and poverty. This encore episode of Impactually revisits one of our most-loved stories about how one woman's front-porch snack bags grew into a community lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
Champale Anderson started Champ's Teardrops with just 7 dollars, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and snack bags for neighborhood kids who were coming home from school hungry.
Her operation grew from 15 snack bags on day one to hundreds of snack and meal bags a day, especially during the Covid-19 school closures, serving children and unhoused neighbors.
Food insecurity in the U.S. is deeply tied to poverty and shows up in children's health, school performance, and long-term opportunities, even when programs like the National School Lunch Program exist.
Champale's "no paperwork, no questions" model centers dignity, trust, and open-door access for any child or adult who needs food or a place to check in.
Her dream is to grow Sweetie into a rec center and safe space where kids can learn, play, and build memories beyond survival, from field trips to science adventures.
Support or volunteer with local hunger relief programs, food pantries, and school-based meal efforts in your community.
Donate to national and local organizations working on food justice and child nutrition, or start a grassroots fundraiser of your own.
Look up Champ's Teardrops online and support Champale's work if you are able.
Contact local and state officials to champion policies that expand access to healthy, affordable food and strengthen school meal programs.
Share this episode and talk with friends, family, and neighbors about hidden hunger in your own community.
Champale Anderson, founder of Champ's Teardrops and the heart behind Sweetie in north St. Louis
Dr. Amanda Jacobs, adolescent pediatrician, for her medical insight on hunger, health, and adolescent development
All the children and families in the Penrose neighborhood who inspire this story
Hannah Rose and the GravesTones – "Are You Out There"
Their music is available on all major streaming platforms. You can also find more information about Hannah Rose's on her Facebook page.
This episode is made possible by the generous support of JLB Images, April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neill, and Humm Productions donors and listeners like you.
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