For Immediate Release:
No Kid Hungry Maryland Awards $50,000 to Schools in Frederick, Howard, and Prince George’s Counties
Contact: Tam Lynne Kelley at (410)753-4304 or tkelley@strength.org
Baltimore, MD (November 13, 2019) – Thirteen schools in Prince George’s, Frederick and Howard Counties will receive a total of $50,000 from No Kid Hungry Maryland this fall to implement Breakfast After the Bell.
Traditional school breakfast programs often have barriers that prohibit students from eating breakfast before school. Breakfast after the Bell provides breakfast in a way that is more convenient and accessible to students, resulting in more kids starting the day ready to learn.
“We are pleased to offer these grants to ensure that all students can start their day with a healthy breakfast,” said Tam Lynne Kelley, senior manager for No Kid Hungry Maryland. “Through partnerships like these, we are moving Maryland closer to the goal of No Kid Hungry.”
Hundreds of Maryland schools have already made breakfast part of the school day – a successful strategy that both reduces hunger and improves school attendance.
Prince George’s County
Six schools in Prince George’s County received grants to purchase grab and go mobile carts so that students can easily pick up a healthy breakfast on their way to class: Green Valley Academy, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Pointer Ridge Elementary, Northview Elementary, Hyattsville Middle, and William Wirt Middle.
“The grab and go carts will make breakfast more accessible to students as they arrive,” said Joan Shorter, director of food and nutrition services with Prince George’s County Public Schools.
Frederick County
In Frederick County, four schools are receiving grants including Spring Ridge Elementary, Thurmont Primary, Frederick High and Tuscarora High. The elementary and primary schools will offer a grab and go breakfast that the students can take to their classrooms. The two high schools will use their grant funding to offer grab and go breakfast after first period, which students can take to their second class.
According to Principal David Franceschina at Frederick High School, “many times, a student who runs late and misses their bus will not get the opportunity to have breakfast. The ability to grab a quick meal before they head off to class will serve as a great reset button on their day and get them restarted on the right foot.”
“Students who are hungry have difficulty focusing on learning,” added Christopher Berry, principal of Tuscarora High School.
Howard County
Ducketts Lane Elementary, Mayfield Woods Middle and Thomas Viaduct Middle in Howard County are all receiving No Kid Hungry grants this school year and are also first time participants in the Maryland Meals for Achievement program. This state funding supplements federal school meal reimbursements to allow schools to provide universal free breakfast in the classroom. No Kid Hungry Maryland is supporting these schools with infrastructure needs, including grab and go carts and hot/cold food storage to store and transport food safely.
“Hungry students aren’t ready to learn,” said Brian Ralph, director of food and nutrition services for Howard County Public Schools. Studies show that children who eat a healthy breakfast have better overall academic achievement and health benefits – we must ensure that all of our students have access to this program. This is why we are making it a priority to serve breakfast as part of the school day.”
Research shows that hunger has long-term ramifications on children, including lower test scores, weaker attendance rates, and a higher risk of hospitalizations and chronic diseases. No Kid Hungry Maryland and its partners focus on school breakfast as a critical way to end childhood hunger. For more information about school breakfast, visit: https://state.nokidhungry.org/maryland/whatwedo/school-breakfast/
