FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2024
Contact: Johanna Elsemore | jelsemore@strength.org
UPSTATE FAMILIES HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO GET FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS, WITH NEW COMMUNITY GRANTS FROM NO KID HUNGRY
$146,000 in new grants from No Kid Hungry will help schools and community groups in rural towns across New York reach more kids this summer
Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” (for Spanish language service) to 304-304 to find a nearby site
NEW YORK, NY: No Kid Hungry New York today announced over $146,000 in grants to help eleven public school districts and community organizations in rural areas across upstate New York provide more kids with free, nutritious meals all summer long. The new funding takes aim at key barriers that have kept families from utilizing free summer meals in the past by providing grab-n-go meal options, home-delivery, expanding hours and opening new convenient locations.
This effort comes as a recent No Kid Hungry poll found 91 percent of families in rural parts of New York reported the cost of food rising faster than their incomes this year–a higher rate than in either urban or suburban communities. Food insecurity spikes every summer, as kids lose access to no-cost and low-cost meals at school.
Traditionally, summer hunger has been especially prevalent in rural communities, where it can be difficult to reach a summer meal site. Now, a new federal policy is allowing rural meal programs the flexibility to offer free summer meals in ways that reach more kids this summer.
According to No Kid Hungry’s recent poll of New Yorkers:
- 47% of rural New Yorkers would be more likely to utilize free summer meals if they could pick up multiple meals at a time
- 40% of rural New Yorkers would utilize free summer meals more if there were grab-and-go options
- 31% of rural New Yorkers would utilize free summer meals more if sites had extended hours
“Each of these partners has found new and innovative ways to reach families with free summer meals the ways they know works best for their community, and No Kid Hungry is so proud to support them,” said No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella. “Together, we can get thousands more kids the food they need to learn, play and just be kids. This is a crucial way to help families make ends meet in the summertime and ensure kids return to school ready to learn.”
Where to Find Free Summer Meals: No Kid Hungry has a national Free Meals Finder texting hotline to connect families to a site near them providing no cost meals. Note that not all meal sites open on July 1, so check back over the summer to find additional options. More than 2,500 sites will be open across New York. Anyone ages 18 years and under is eligible. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a meal. To find a Summer Meals program near you, just text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” (for Spanish language service) to 304-304.
Recent recipients of No Kid Hungry New York summer grants:
Western New York:
- Cassadaga Valley Central School District will offer 5 days of bulk meals for pick-up when summer school and summer programming is not operating and prepare daily sit-down meals while education programs are in session.
- Chautauqua Opportunities will operate meal service throughout Chautauqua County congregate and non-congregate sites for all kids, including those not enrolled in summer school/summer programming.
- Jamestown YMCA will serve grab-n-go lunch and next day breakfast in Jamestown and surrounding rural communities.
- Salamanca City Central School District will provide eat-in meals and daily grab-n-go lunch at 2 sites, 4 days a week for 6 weeks.
North Country:
- Salmon River Central School District will operate both sit-down and grab-n-go meal service Monday through Friday.
Rochester/Finger Lakes:
- Clyde-Savannah Central School District will provide breakfast and lunch at 2 local schools and home delivery of 5 days of bulk meals.
- Le Roy Central School District will offer grab-n-go of pre-packed, 3 days worth, breakfast and lunch at the elementary school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Albany/Capital Region:
- CAPTAIN Community Human Services will operate sit-down and grab-n-go meal services in Saratoga County across 14 congregate sites and 4 non-congregate sites this summer, Monday through Friday.
- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York will have home-delivery and grab-n-go available in Schoharie and Columbia counties, providing 7 days worth of pre-packed breakfasts and lunches.
- Hartford Central School District will offer home-delivery several times a week of pre-packed breakfast and lunch for 8 weeks.
Hudson Valley:
- Pine Bush Central School District will provide sit-down breakfast and lunch to students in summer programming Monday through Thursday and distribute bulk meals to feed kids over the weekend.
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