{"id":18779,"date":"2026-06-30T03:46:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T03:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/?p=18779"},"modified":"2026-06-30T04:19:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T04:19:29","slug":"press-release-2026-summer-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/press-release-2026-summer-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE: No Kid Hungry Grants Nearly $200,000 to Combat Summer Hunger in Rural Communities Across California"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Date: June 29, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n

No Kid Hungry Grants Nearly $200,000 to Combat Summer Hunger in Rural Communities Across California<\/span><\/h3>\n

Closing the summer hunger gaps in rural communities so kids have greater access to free summer food resources<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Sacramento, CA: <\/b>No Kid Hungry California announced an investment of $194,205 in grant funding to 14 school districts and community organizations, supporting expanded access to flexible summer meal programs for kids when schools break for the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many children, school meals can be a lifeline that ensures reliable access to nutrition during the school year. However, when schools close for the summer these meals disappear and families struggle from the strain on already-tight budgets. This can be particularly true for rural families.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditionally, federally funded summer meal programs have been required to operate in a congregate setting, where kids must eat their meals on-site. However, these models have historically reached only a fraction of eligible children, with an estimated <\/span>6 out of 7 kids missing out on this essential summer nutrition.<\/span><\/a> Barriers to access are even greater in rural communities, where meal sites may be sparsely located, coupled with transportation costs, extreme weather, and schedule limitations for working parents and caregivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a recent No Kid Hungry survey of rural families, parents reported on the unique hardships they faced during the summer when school is out. More than half of rural families say they don\u2019t have enough money for food during the summer. Over 80% spend more on groceries when their children are out of school for the summer\u2013an average of $168 more each month.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest grants from No Kid Hungry California support local partners in implementing non-congregate meal programs, including home delivery services, storage and refrigeration, transportation, staffing, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following school districts and community organizations received grants:<\/span><\/p>\n