{"id":11584,"date":"2021-06-21T17:45:55","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T17:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/ohio\/?p=11584"},"modified":"2021-08-05T17:46:48","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T17:46:48","slug":"release-ohio-schools-and-organizations-continue-to-offer-meals-while-school-is-out-this-summer-to-combat-childhood-hunger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/ohio\/2021\/06\/21\/release-ohio-schools-and-organizations-continue-to-offer-meals-while-school-is-out-this-summer-to-combat-childhood-hunger\/","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Ohio schools and organizations continue to offer meals while school is out this summer to combat childhood hunger"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201c<\/em>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,\u201d says Eleni Towns.<\/em><\/p>\n

Contact:\u00a0Adrienne Carter\u00a0at\u00a0acarter@strength.org<\/p>\n

6\/21\/21,\u00a0Washington, DC<\/strong>: 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 \u2018n go, bundled or delivered meals.\u00a0 All kids and teens eighteen and younger can access meals at no cost.<\/p>\n

The ongoing pandemic has increased the barriers that many families face getting food for their children during the summer months. \u00a0In collaboration with Children\u2019s Hunger Alliance, the campaign recently announced more than $220,000 in grants to 12 school districts to support their efforts to feed kids this summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo 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,\u201d said Eleni Towns, Associate Director for the No Kid Hungry campaign. \u201cMaking sure kids are nourished during the summer months has a strong return on investment. We applaud schools for 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201cFOOD\u201d (or \u201cCOMIDA\u201d) to 877-877 to find sites in their neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Below are the recipients of No Kid Hungry summer grants across the state of Ohio:<\/p>\n