Next time you’re at a middle school or high school event, take a look at the kids around you and think about this: 1 in 5 of them has been bullied.

That’s the sobering fact from the National Center for Educational Statistics. Two organizations in our community are determined to shrink that number.

In honor of National Friendship Day on Aug. 4, Kellogg’s Froot Loops® and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region are spearheading United To Be Kind. It’s a week-long effort helping kids celebrate their uniqueness and individuality, promoting friendship while reducing instances of bullying.

“By partnering with Kellogg’s Froot Loops on United To Be Kind, we’re improving the social and emotional wellbeing of children in our region—a key strategy in assuring children thrive, learn and go on to a lifetime of success,” said Tony Iovieno, Senior Director of Resource Development at United Way BCKR. “We’re so proud and grateful to stand alongside Kellogg Company in this important work.”

For the second consecutive year, United To Be Kind is connecting with kids all this week during Kidventure Camp at Full Blast in Battle Creek.

The program is a natural extension of the Kellogg’s Froot Loops campaign, “Whatever Froots Your Loops” and its commitment to individuality and expressing your authentic self. By partnering with United Way to provide activities and conversations around friendship and anti-bullying, the program aims to help students embrace kindness for the upcoming school year and long into the future.

In addition to Battle Creek, United To Be Kind is happening this week in Washington State with United Way of King County. Later this month, United To Be Kind will expand to the Detroit area in partnership with United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

“We are proud to partner again with United Way,” said Stephanie Slingerland, Director of Philanthropy and Social Impact at Kellogg Company. “United To Be Kind is also part of our Summer Hunger partnership program, where together we will be providing free breakfasts and lunches to kids living in Battle Creek, Dallas, Des Moines, Sacramento, Seattle and Jackson, Tennessee.”

For more information on bullying, visit StopBullying.gov. You can learn more about United To Be Kind through Kellogg’s Social K website by clicking here.