Dear friend,
“No more homework, no more tests…no more lunch?”
That’s the reality for millions of kids who rely on their school’s meal programs. Summer break often means empty bellies.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. Congress can make it easier for kids to get food during the summer.
Summer feeding programs do exist. But they’re hard to get to, especially if parents are at work. And even if a parent is available, a summer meal site may be so far away that the gas to get there costs more money than the free meal saves. As a result, fewer than 1 in 5 kids who need summer meals have access to them. That translates to 19 million kids not getting the food they need.
And here’s the thing : We know how to ensure no child goes hungry during summer break.
During the pandemic, states have made it much easier for kids to get food during the school year. They’ve established “grab and go” sites at schools where families can easily pick up bagged meals. States have also relaxed red tape, allowing food to be distributed outside of strict meal times.
Congress can extend this kind of flexibility to summer meal programs permanently through the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization, a process that happens every five years when lawmakers review all policies about child nutrition. But they need to hear from you.
Every child who needs food assistance should receive it, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. Thank you for speaking up.
Sincerely,
Amirio Freeman
Advocacy Specialist
Feeding America.
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