RELEASE: Georgia schools and organizations continue to offer meals while school is out this summer to combat childhood hunger
“When kids get the food they need, it helps them stay active and healthy during the summer and return to school in the fall ready to learn,” says Eleni Towns.
Contact: Adrienne Carter at acarter@strength.org
6/28/21, Washington, DC: School might be out, but meals are in session all summer long. Across the state, school districts and community organizations are expanding summer meal options to support kids with the nutrition they need. Due to pandemic-related waivers, schools and community organizations can again this year offer grab ‘n go, bundled or delivered meals. All kids and teens eighteen and younger can access meals at no cost.
The ongoing pandemic has increased the barriers that many families face getting food for their children during the summer months. As part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in remain nourished and healthy, the campaign recently announced nearly $440,000 in grants to 24 school districts and community organizations to support their efforts to feed kids this summer.
“No child should have to struggle with an empty stomach or stress about when they will eat again. These grants will help reach more kids with the food they need to grow up healthy, educated and strong,” said Eleni Towns, Associate Director at No Kid Hungry. “Making sure kids are nourished during the summer months has a strong return on investment. We applaud schools and community organizations working tirelessly this summer to support their communities and ensure all kids have the nutrition they need to be active and healthy and return to school in the fall ready to learn.”
No Kid Hungry is helping families find summer meals near them through our Free Meals Finder map and texting hotline. Parents and caregivers can text the word “FOOD” (or “COMIDA”) to 877-877 to find sites in their neighborhood.
Below are the recipients of No Kid Hungry summer grants across the state of Georgia:
- Cobb County School District
- Meriwether County School System
- Peach County Schools
- Newton County Schools/School Nutrition Department
- Atlanta Public Schools
- Butts County School System
- Richmond County School System
- Fulton County Schools
- Worth County School District
- YMCA of Rome And Floyd County
- Thomasville City Schools
- Crisp County Schools
- Marietta City Schools
- Randolph County School System
- International Academy of Smyrna
- White County Board of Education
- Thomas County Schools
- Decatur County School
- Wheeler County Schools
- Muscogee County School District
- Clay County Board of Education
- Sumter County Schools
- Harris County School District
- Cartersville City School District