Three Things To Know About Summer Meals
Summer can be the hungriest time of year for many children from low-income families. When schools close, students no longer get school meals, and families struggle to put food on the table. This hunger can have a long-term impact on a child’s health, ability to learn and general well-being.
Here are three things to know about the summer meals program.
Summer Meals Are Available For Kids, Nationwide
The national Summer Food Service Program was created to connect children from low-income families to the critical nutrition they need during the summer. Summer meals programs are “funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); administered by state agencies, such as state departments of education; and run by public and private organizations, including schools, community centers and faith-based organizations.” [Learn more about the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program]
Many Families Don’t Know About The Summer Meal Programs
The federal summer meals program is designed to help kids get the nutrition they need during the summer months, but it is underutilized. Last year, for example, only about 16% of the kids who rely on free/reduced meals during the school year were getting meals in the summer. One major obstacle: Many families either don’t know the program exists or don’t know how to find sites. [Read the “Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation” report]
A Texting Number Can Help Kids Get Meals
That’s where we come in. No Kid Hungry developed a texting number to help families and community leaders find sites. When people text ‘FOOD’ or ‘COMIDA’ to 877–877, the service is activated and prompts them to provide their address. Upon doing so, they are given information for the nearest summer meals sites in their area. (To get in the weeds a bit: The database of sites is drawn from official USDA data that is updated weekly, pulled by No Kid HUngry and uploaded to our system that uses geolocation technology to pinpoint the closest sites based on the address provided by users.) [Learn more about the No Kid Hungry texting program]
You can help. Spread the word about summer hunger by posting flyers or sharing information on social media.
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, are able to get the nutrition they need during the summertime, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.
