February is a month of love – and we’re showing our love towards school and summer nutrition programs, and the people who make them possible. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the playground, or throughout the summer months, kids need nutrition to fuel them. With one in 6 kids in Michigan facing food insecurity this year, school and summer meals are a key component of ensuring that every child has access to three meals a day, 365 days a year.
Just like a Valentine’s Day card, school meals are a way of sending a message of care and support to every student. For many students, these meals are a lifeline, offering consistent access to food that they might not have at home. Programs like Breakfast in the Classroom allow students to start their day together, connecting with classmates and teachers over a meal, promoting positive peer and mentor relationships.
School meals also offer a sense of routine and security, which contribute to students’ needs of safety and connection. They also help meet students’ physiological needs as well. Research shows when students do not have regular access to nutritious food, they have significantly higher levels of behavioral, emotional and educational problems. Over the summer, students are at a higher risk of hunger – which is why programs like summer meals and Summer EBT are so crucial to fill the gaps when school is out of session
How You Can Help Spread the Love
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or community member, there are several ways you can help ensure that children receive the nutrition they need:
- Share information about school and summer meals on social media (e.g, Facebook, Instagram, X).
- Talk to your kids about school and summer meals and the importance of nutrition to help them meet their goals in the classroom, on the field, or wherever else their dreams lie.
- Reach out to your local summer meals program to see what kinds of support they need. Many programs use volunteers to make meal service move smoother; others are looking for support from local businesses and community organizations; and others need help spreading the word throughout the community.
- Advocate for school and summer meals, SNAP, and WIC to your congresspeople.
- Write to your Members of Congress. Urge them to prioritize protecting kids from hunger and hardship.
- Spread the word on Social Media. Feel free to retweet this message or share the following message on any of your social platforms:
- Tell Congress: a new year means a new opportunity to take action to protect kids and families from hunger and hardship. 1 in 5 children in the U.S. faces hunger today. Join me in urging Congress to prioritize federal nutrition and safety net programs. https://bit.ly/4g4b6hn