This post originally appeared on OTYCD in August 2017.

 

Help feed schoolchildren in your community during the summer recess, when some lose access to their most reliable source of nutritious meals.

 

Scores of low-income kids rely on their schools for food. For them, summer can mean two months of hunger. Fortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognized this need and provides information on summer meals programs across the country. In the summer of 2017, the USDA expects to serve more than 200 million meals to American children who are 18 and under.

 

Deadlines for sponsoring programs generally arrive in April and May. If you miss them, it’s still worth getting in touch with your relevant local government agency to see how you can help, be it providing a space to serve meals, cooking meals, or donating time or money. Spreading the word about local summer meals programs help, too.

 

Read about the summer food needs of school-age kids:

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/in-plain-sight/when-schools-out-summer-many-kids-are-risk-going-hungry-v18751148

 

Find summer meals programs near you:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks

 

See broader information about summer meals programs:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program

 

See the list of state contacts for school meals programs:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/school-meals-contacts

 

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