1 in 6 Kids in Virginia Face Hunger in the Summer
Contact: Matt Brown, 202-768-9090
Alexandria, VA -- For many kids, summer vacation comes with a thrill of anticipation. Weeks stretch ahead filled with dreams of bike rides, swimming pools and family vacations. However, for many families struggling to put food on the table, the end of school means the end of free or reduced price school meals and the start of worry, anxiety and the threat of hunger.
Representatives from the No Kid Hungry Virginia campaign, the American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) joined First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe today to kick off the summer meals program and see first-hand the impact that it has for kids struggling with hunger.
FCPS is providing children will access to nutritious meals all summer long through their Summer FEEDS program (Food for Every Child to Eat During Summer). FCPS is barbecuing daily at ten locations across the county from June 27th through September 2nd. Children choose from a menu of: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, turkey sausages, and grilled chicken or rib patties. All meals offer sides of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with ice cold milk. According to Rodney Taylor, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, "Hunger doesn't take a vacation and neither do we.”
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was created forty years ago to help students get nourishment when school is out of session. Under the current program, federally reimbursed meals are available to kids at sites around the country, including schools, faith-based programs and community centers. This program is a lifeline for kids in need.
Unfortunately, barriers like extreme weather, transportation challenges and excessive red tape, however, block many kids from getting the meals they need.
Together, No Kid Hungry Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health, USDA Food and Nutrition Services, and Mrs. McAuliffe are working to overcome these barriers, and encouraging effective, efficient policies that make sure all kids are getting the healthy food they need.
“In Virginia, about 87 percent of students who rely on free or reduced price school meals miss out on summer meal programs each day,” said Mrs. McAuliffe. “We can and must do more to increase participation in these programs and connect more kids with the healthy food they need to be successful.”
The First Lady’s office partners with Share Our Strength’s national No Kid Hungry campaign to raise awareness about the summer meals program throughout the Commonwealth, as well as promote alternative breakfast and afterschool meal programs.
“We know the impact summer hunger can have on children and families. When school meals disappear, kids experience anxiety and uncertainty and family budgets are stretched even further,” said Duke Storen, senior director of research, advocacy and partner development at Share Our Strength. “The summer meals program provides a critical resource to these children, but far too many kids are missing out on the chance to have a healthy meal every day.”
Background Information on Summer Meals Program in Virginia:
- Meals are FREE to children and teens age 18 and younger who come to a summer meals site
- Food served follows USDA nutrition guidelines and is paid for by the USDA
- Summer meals sites are at schools, churches, community centers and other places that are safe for kids and teens
- Parents don’t need to apply to the program to get a free summer meal for their kids. They can just bring their child to a summer meals site in their community.
- Families can text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 or call 866-3HUNGRY to find a summer meals site in their neighborhood.
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 5 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.