When schools closed their doors at Spring Break earlier this year, no one expected them to be closed for two months. There were field trips, end of year parties and graduations being planned. That all changed as schools transitioned to at-home digital learning.
This disruption also caught many parents off guard. When kids are home, parents realize just how much they eat. Breakfast, lunch and snacks five days a week adds up quickly. For families who rely on free and reduced meals at school, this additional expense can cripple their budget when kids are home for summer break. Adding nine extra weeks during a pandemic creates even more financial stress in very uncertain times..
Second Harvest Food Bank launched its Summer Food Service Program two months early. The program delivers nutritious meals and snacks to kids at community centers and programs in low-income neighborhoods and food deserts. While many traditional summer sites remain closed, 43 partners stepped up to help provide essential meals for kids during this time, including Club Esteem in Brevard County.
“It’s a pretty good meal and it’s nutritional,” said Ellena Little, Club Esteem’s director. “We want to make sure these children get everything they need to be successful.”
Sites have changed their distribution methods to maintain social distancing requirements with drive-thru options with minimal contact. Families can pick up meals for any child under 18. To date, 257,400 meals have been provided to kids. This already exceeds the total number of meals served in Summer 2019 and speaks to the need to provide more meals to more kids than ever before.
You can help fight hunger and feed hope for kids during this extended summer. When their bellies are full, kids can get back to the business of being kids.
Provide more meals to more kids this summer.
Join the Swamp Sistas for La La Summer Hope from Home.
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