As we all take precaution to protect ourselves and others from the spread of coronavirus, we can’t forget hungry kids. Nearly 22 million low-income kids from communities across the country rely on the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school. For many, these meals may be the only nutritious food that they’ll receive on a given day. With schools either closing or weighing the option to do so in districts nationwide, children may be left without that critical lifeline to healthy meals.
For parents, educators or community leaders, here are some resources for helping ensure kids get the food they need during the coronavirus outbreak.
No Kid Hungry is working to support emergency feeding across the country and has compiled a regularly updated resource library to help program sponsors, community partners, and advocates provide meals to children during school closures related to the coronavirus.
Pandemic-EBT
The Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program was created to help families afford food during this crisis. It provides an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that can be used at grocery stores – and in some states, to purchase groceries online – that contains the value of the breakfasts and lunches missed due to school closures. If you believe your family qualifies for this benefit and have not received it, please visit the FSSA website to submit an inquiry.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to qualifying households to purchase nutritious food using an electronic card that functions like an ATM card that is accepted at most grocery stores and farmers’ markets. SNAP can help families weather financial hardship and ensure access to healthy food.
See below for more information and a summary of resources:
Need more information and have other questions? Visit the Indiana state website to learn more.
Click here to access resources to prepare for Back to School in Indiana, including our September webinar series
IDOE leadership and staff are working to support schools and families during this time and are providing resources to Hoosiers navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Recently, McFarling Foods was awarded a partnership with the USDA to supply and distribute commodity food boxes to our non-profit partners (under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ). Due to the great response and need, it is best to reach out directly to any of the following organizations to see how you can help:
Together, we can make sure no child has to face a decision between staying healthy or staying nourished.