For kids like sixth grader Dawson and his five siblings, the summer meals help keep him healthy and focused. “After eating the meals, I feel good. They’re amazing and they’re really convenient because they’re free and they come with so much you need.” Dawson, who dreams of becoming a commercial pilot, most enjoys the variety of foods in his Summer Meals. “We get chicken sandwiches, we get burgers, and we get a whole lot of produce. And we get corn, chicken nuggets, and almost any meal you can imagine,” he shares. I
Thanks to Meals Makers like you, No Kid Hungry has supported Smithville with grants to implement and expand their summer meals programs, including equipment and staffing. Smithville also hires local high school students to work in the program, cooking and delivering meals for other kids. Shelton is a high school senior and has worked in the Summer Meals program for three years. He says the job has taught him responsibility and passion. “With families taking the food home, it's more convenient, it's faster. I know people have busy lives and they need to work. So it is just like a grab-and-go. When people had to eat there, it was just less people, and it was more time-consuming.”
Your recurring support also helps kids like seven-year-old Eliana and her two younger sisters. Eliana spends her summers painting, roller skating, and spending time with her grandparents. “My favorite fruits are oranges, apples, bananas, and strawberries,” she says. The summer meals help Eliana stay healthy and strong so she can achieve her dreams of becoming a ballerina or gymnast when she grows up. Eliana gushes, “I feel happy when I eat those meals.”
No Kid Hungry could not do this important work without the recurring support of Meal Makers like you. Your generosity is helping more parents put food on the table this summer and ensuring kids have what they need to reach their dreams. Thank you for all you do!