Ms. Rachel often recalls her childhood sneakers from Walmart.
As a child, her single mom worked tirelessly—balancing a daycare job during the week, shifts at Pizza Hut on weekends, and studying at night. Finances were limited, and the sneakers weren’t name brand, which led to teasing at school.
This memory has stayed with Ms. Rachel and profoundly influences her current work. With a platform that reaches millions of families, she resonates with those who know what it’s like to face scarcity. One in five children counts on SNAP benefits, which are currently at risk.
Speaking with Ms. Rachel about this mission was an unforgettable experience. (I only teared up once, and I consider that a professional win.) She isn’t merely a children’s educator; she genuinely strives to ensure every child has what they need. In her own way, she’s a national asset.
The question that started everything
Certain questions from children linger in our minds, shaping our worldviews. For Ms. Rachel, one question stood out:
“I asked my mom, why don’t kids have all the food they need? Like, is there not enough food? I just really wanted to understand.”
Even decades later, her voice carries that same childlike confusion.
And she’s right. It’s perplexing. In a country overflowing with wealth, children go hungry—not for lack of food, but because society has collectively chosen not to prioritize access for all children.
Now her own seven-year-old son, Thomas, is grappling with the same questions. “He’ll ask, I don’t understand why kids wouldn’t have the food they need,” she shares.
The crucial difference now is that she’s in a position to effect change.
What she’s hearing from families right now
Ms. Rachel knows more than just the smiling figures in her videos—she hears the struggles behind closed doors. Parents confide in her, sharing their weighty challenges.
“The cost of childcare is immense, and affordable, high-quality childcare is scarce,” she explains. “When you’re spending so much on childcare, how do you afford healthy food as well?”
She trails off, but the conclusion is clear. If you’re overwhelmed by childcare costs (or have had to leave the workforce entirely), food expenses become unmanageable. Healthy meals turn into an indulgence. SNAP benefits become essential.
“Every child deserves healthy food,” Ms. Rachel asserts. “I’m passionate about children’s rights. Every child in this nation should have access to SNAP and healthcare.”
She emphasizes, “Many more people than we realize utilize [SNAP], and there is no shame in it. I faced difficulties as a child too.”
The memory of those Walmart sneakers resurfaces, fueling her passion for PBS, SNAP, and healthcare—the essential support that once kept her family afloat.
The partnership putting resources where they’re needed most
Ms. Rachel collaborates thoughtfully with organizations that mirror her beliefs about family needs.
In April, she teamed up with Stonyfield Organic to launch the “O is for Organic” initiative. This included a $200,000 donation to two organizations she handpicked, both committed to enriching children’s health and well-being.
Room to Grow aids families from pregnancy to age three, the crucial developmental window that Ms. Rachel knows well (she holds a master’s in early childhood education and has two decades of experience teaching).
“When I completed my music education master’s, everyone said what age group we’d teach, and they skipped me,” she laughs. “They all knew I’d be working with young kids. I care for every child as if they’re my own and want the very best for them.”
Room to Grow provides essential resources for families, including a free shop to gather necessary items, along with assistance connecting to resources like SNAP. Stonyfield also supplied refrigerators filled with organic yogurt—enough to support 1,200 families.
“From my platform, I see how many parents feel overwhelmed and can’t afford basic necessities,” she says. “Having grown up with a single mother juggling multiple jobs and school, I understand how tough life can be.”
Then she shared something that nearly brought me to tears: “So many moms feel like they have no village, yet they are the village. That’s beautiful.”
No Kid Hungry addresses an issue she’s cared about since childhood. With reduced SNAP funding pushing more families to the brink, this donation is timely.
“No child should go hungry, as it impacts development and learning,” she emphasizes. “Children require nutrients for crucial brain development.”
This collaboration feels natural—a brand focused on organic nutrition aligning with an educator who has firsthand experience understanding the challenges of access to healthy food.
Teaching the next generation to care (without falling apart)
A poignant moment in our conversation was listening to Ms. Rachel explain how she speaks to Thomas about inequality and service without sugarcoating the truth or breaking down emotionally.
I had to ask her, as someone who feels deeply and finds discussing social issues difficult: how do you convey hunger without traumatizing children?
Her response was refreshingly candid: “People say, Miss Rachel, you’re the best parent. But I’m far from perfect. I mess up and seek advice from my mom, expressing my guilt.”
She credits Dr. Becky Kennedy for teaching her the value of honest yet age-appropriate conversations. “You want to be truthful, but only share what’s appropriate for their developmental stage. No need to overwhelm them with harsh realities if they aren’t ready.”
She also draws inspiration from Mr. Rogers, her role model: “We discuss the many helpers in the world and that love ultimately prevails.”
This means consistently talking to Thomas about the fact that many children lack basic necessities, framing it as unjust. When he questions why she works so much, she explains, “Mommy is passionate about helping kids in need.”
She teaches him that generosity brings fulfillment. He assists in picking out toys for homeless children in their community, understanding his mom’s mission to support those who require aid.
Thomas has witnessed her tears. “He knows some things, but I protect him from potential trauma. However, I share that I feel deeply for kids because I view every child as I do him. I wish for every child to thrive.”
At just seven, Thomas is brainstorming ways to help others, having learned from his mother that every child deserves support.
To maintain her well-being, she concentrates on the supporters—those dedicated to driving change. This mindset helps her stay grounded so she can continue advocating. She relays this message to Thomas: while challenges exist, numerous people are working to address them.
In a nation as affluent as ours, the fact that any child goes without food is intolerable. Ms. Rachel understands this through her own experiences—those Walmart sneakers, a single mother working multiple jobs, and episodes of PBS due to unavailability of childcare options.
She utilizes her platform to ensure that countless families know they’re not alone in their struggles and that seeking help is not a source of shame. She fights for a future where every child receives what they need.
“Many individuals are striving to drive change,” she asserts.
Now, she’s one of them.
