Healthy meals for kids this summer! We need YOU
By Noreen Springstead
Though summer is always the hungriest time for America’s children, this summer is different.
This summer, planned government cuts threaten low-income families and their ability to feed their kids. This summer, the value of feeding hungry children is actually being questioned. This summer, WhyHunger is stepping up to play a bigger role in ensuring that hungry kids are fed. This summer, we need your help. Now is the time to support vulnerable children.
When school lets out for the summer, the 21 million kids who receive free and reduced meals during the school year are eligible for free breakfast and lunch all summer long through the Summer Food Service Program. Each summer, over 60,000 community organizations across the nation—schools, houses of worship, camps, community centers—volunteer to host children of all ages and commit to providing healthy, nutritious meals. Any kid or teen under 18 is eligible to attend.
This is a vital program, but only about 17% of eligible children are getting the nutritious meals they need during the summer. Why? Because many parents and caregivers aren’t aware of the program or don’t know how to find summer meals sites in their neighborhood.
Using our innovative technology, WhyHunger addresses these gaps in awareness and access by connecting kids and their families to summer meals and other fresh, nutritious food. By simply texting SUMMER and a ZIP code to 1-800-5HUNGRY, anyone can instantly receive a list of all summer meals sites nearby. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers can also find the same information by searching our online database at www.whyhunger.org/summermeals or calling our WhyHunger Hotline at 1-800-5HUNGRY to get information in English and Spanish. No matter who you are or where you are in the country,
WhyHunger can help you find food for your children in a matter of moments.
We need your help in order to reach 17 million hungry kids who aren’t getting summer meals. As our co-founder the late Harry Chapin used to say, “When in doubt, do something!” Take action today by donating to help kids access healthy meals. Your support will help WhyHunger connect millions of kids to healthy food, raise awareness about summer meals, and advocate for better policies for hungry children and their families.
Will you help us reach the millions kids who are in danger of going hungry when school lets out? Your support is needed this summer more than ever.
