In Northwest Pennsylvania, spanning the counties of Clarion, Mercer, and Venango, the Keystone SMILES Learning Center has become a beacon of support during the summer. Led by Heather Custer, a dedicated manager who has run their food programs for 14 years, the center’s non-congregate meal delivery program has emerged as a lifeline for many families across these three counties. This summer along with the Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps members and SMILES staff marked a significant milestone as they reintroduced non-congregate meal services, which had previously been halted post-pandemic.
During the height of the pandemic, Keystone SMILES pivoted to non-congregate meal delivery to ensure that children continued to receive nutritious meals even when congregating was not possible. However, it wasn’t until this summer that they could resume this vital service. The results have been astonishing, with participation rates surpassing those seen during the pandemic. Heather noted that this surge is likely due to the reduction in other benefits available to families, making summer meals programs, like theirs, even more critical.
Heather’s team, bolstered by a crew of AmeriCorps members and staff at each of their sites make this all possible. Their kitchens are hubs of activity, supplying all these locations, ensuring that meals reach every child that they can. The logistics are challenging, and they are going non-stop throughout the week with preparation and meal delivery.
The non-congregate meals, delivered directly to homes, consist of a mix of cold and shelf-stable items, providing breakfast for the next day. Deliveries occur daily from Tuesday to Friday, ensuring that children receive consistent nourishment. This summer alone, they’ve seen meal numbers soar, serving up to 13,600 meals in June and July. This is more than double the amount served in June and July of 2023 with their congregate program.
Heather and her team couldn’t have achieved this without the unwavering support of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). PDE guided them through the application process and helped navigate the complexities of the new non-congregate meal option. Their strong partnerships with county housing authorities, faith-based organizations, and local school districts have also been instrumental. The housing authorities, in particular, facilitate home deliveries within housing complexes, ensuring that families receive their meals directly.
Their team also reached out to No Kid Hungry for support knowing this summer would bring additional challenges and added costs. From outreach materials to inform families about this new program option in their communities, to new coolers and transportation costs to ensure their meals could reach their destination safely, the SMILES staff was able to utilize grant funds to support several key aspects of their program.
Joyce, the Executive Director, and the entire Keystone SMILES staff and AmeriCorps members are deeply passionate about feeding children. Their dedication is evident in the relationships they build with the communities they serve. Teri, an AmeriCorps member, is a familiar face at one of the housing communities, where she is warmly greeted by families and children who eagerly help distribute meals each day. Liana, a staff member at the Oil City site, proudly speaks of her amazing AmeriCorps team and their delivery route, which reaches between 60-80 children daily. After deliveries, they run a ‘hotspot’ location out of a local church, where kids can gather for planned activities, creating a sense of community and engagement. Beyond meal delivery, the Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps program strives to enrich children’s lives with STEM activities. They either send these activities home with the meals or host them at central locations within the housing complexes they deliver to.
The Keystone SMILES Learning Center’s non-congregate meal delivery program is more than just about providing food; it’s about nurturing the community, building relationships, and fostering a supportive environment for children and families. Joyce, Heather, and their team exemplify the spirit of service, proving that with dedication, collaboration, and a bit of creativity, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.