Seven Cents a Day

 

Seven Cents a Day Educational Activity

Ages: 5-12

Time: 20-25 minutes

Description:

In 2000, the world’s leaders set goals that would make the world a better place for everyone by 2015. One goal was to decrease the number of people living in poverty and hunger by half. If every person in the United States gave seven cents a day, we could achieve that goal.

With the children, figure out how much seven cents a day would be at the end of one week, one month, six months, one year, two years, and at the end of 2014. Then, make banks for the children to take home and use to save their seven cents a day.

Materials:

1. Jars with lids

2. Drawing paper

3. Pencils

4. Markers that will write on the surface of the jar

5. A sharp implement to cut the jar lid

Directions:

1. Clean the jars thoroughly, inside and out.

2. On drawing paper, plan the design for the bank.

3. Copy the design to the jar with markers.

4. Cut a hole large enough to insert a penny in the lid (An adult can do this—do not have the children cut the hole).

5. Screw the lid on the jar.

Discussion Topics: 

1. What would seven cents a day mean for your family?

_______ family members × 7 cents = _______ a day

_______ × 7 days = _______ a week

_______ × 4 weeks = _______ a month

_______ × 12 months = _______ a year

2. What might your family do without in order to give seven cents a day for each family member?

Here are some ideas:

• One dessert each week
• One movie (rental or theater) each month
• One special snack each week

What else can you think of?

How much would you be able to give if you gave up one of these things?

3. How often will you give your money to your church or another organization that fights hunger?

Is there an activity you have used to teach anti-hunger advocacy?  Tell us about it in the comments.