Summer can be the hungriest time of the year for Virginia children who depend on school meals. On average, only 15% of Virginia kids who rely on free or reduced- price school lunches are also getting free meals in the summer. Kids who experience hunger in the summer are more likely to experience the “summer slide," losing what they learned and starting the next school year behind their more affluent peers. It takes the work of stakeholders in every corner of the Commonwealth to counteract the summer slide for our children- the future of Virginia’s workforce, economy, and municipalities.
Ways you can help:
1: Outreach -
Are you willing to raise awareness about the Summer Meals Program?
Help us promote Summer Meals by sharing information with your neighbors and program participants. Hang up posters and distribute flyers. Tell your constituents to text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 to receive a list of meal sites and operating times nearest them.
2: Community Planning -
Are you familiar with your community and where students live, learn, and play in the summer months?
Partner with No Kid Hungry to host a “Community Planning Meeting” to spread the word about the Summer Meals Program. Brainstorm with local stakeholders about the best ways to ensure that youth receive adequate summer nutrition.
3. Be a Summer SITE -
Do you offer summer programming, but not a complimentary meal? Do you offer a meal, but pay for it with your own operating funds?
You may be eligible to serve meals at no cost to you or your participants. Partner with a local Summer Meals sponsor to become a meal site and receive prepared meals to serve to your participants, with minimal administrative responsibilities.
4. Be a Summer SPONSOR -
Do you want to maximize your participation in the Summer Meals Program and take the lead on ending childhood food insecurity in your service area?
Join several other Community Action Agencies and apply to be a Summer Meals sponsor. Prepare or procure summer meals according to federal regulations and serve them at your site and/or eligible sites in your service area. Receive federal reimbursement for meals served according to programmatic/nutritional guidelines.
If you have any questions or want to learn more contact Sarah Steely from No Kid Hungry Virginia -
ssteely@strength.org
