RELEASE: Pennsylvania schools and organizations continue to offer meals while school is out this summer to combat childhood hunger
“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,” says Eleni Towns.
Contact: Adrienne Carter at acarter@strength.org
6/28/21, Washington, DC: 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 ‘n go, bundled or delivered meals. All kids and teens eighteen and younger can access meals at no cost.
The ongoing pandemic has increased the barriers that many families face getting food for their children during the summer months. As part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in remain nourished and healthy, the campaign recently announced nearly $616,337 in grants to 45 school districts and community organizations to support their efforts to feed kids this summer.
“No 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,” said Eleni Towns, Associate Director at No Kid Hungry. “Making sure kids are nourished during the summer months has a strong return on investment. We applaud schools and community organizations 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.”
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 “FOOD” (or “COMIDA”) to 877-877 to find sites in their neighborhood.
Below are the recipients of No Kid Hungry summer grants across the state of Pennsylvania:
- Steel Valley School District
- Pennridge School District
- Oxford Area School District
- Williams Valley School District
- Congregation Ohr Menachem
- Tuscarora School District
- Donegal School District
- Premier Arts & Science Charter School
- First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School
- Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
- Hanover Area School District
- Warrior Run School District
- The School District of the City of York
- Conemaugh Valley School District
- Kennett Consolidated School District
- Nutritional Development Services – Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- East Stroudsburg Area SD
- South Allegheny School District
- Brownsville Area School District
- Windber Area School District
- West Mifflin Area School District
- Duquesne City School District
- East Allegheny School District
- Johnsonburg Area School District
- DuBois Area School District
- Conemaugh Township Area School District
- McKeesport Area School District
- Athens Area School District
- Laurel School District
- Saint Clair School District
- Avon Grove School District
- Shippensburg Area School District
- Kiski Area School District
- Allentown School District
- New Hope-Solebury School District
- Carlisle Area School District
- Chartiers Valley School District
- Phoenixville Area School District
- Solanco School District
- North Pocono School District
- Ephrata Area School District
- Daniel Boone Area School District
- Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5
- Bethlehem Area School District
- Scranton School District