It was a warm Tuesday morning in Abbeville County, South Carolina, and the kitchen at Wright Middle School was alive with the buzz of activity. Jennifer Maxwell, Abbeville County’s Food Service Director, and her food service team were eagerly preparing the meals that were to be delivered that day. The Abbeville County School District’s non-congregate summer feeding program was in full swing, delivering much-needed meals to children across the area.
The program, utilizing both grab and go and home delivery models, ensured that no child went hungry during the long summer months. With over 400 children served a week via home delivery alone, Abbeville County’s summer program continues to grow.
That day, I had the privilege of riding along with two dedicated food service managers, Krystal Vaughn and Jasmin Nazzal, who, along with a team of staff and volunteers, were making these essential deliveries.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you so much,” Jasmin greeted a grateful mother at the first stop, handing over bags filled with meals. The joy and relief on the woman’s face were palpable, a testament to the program’s impact. Each family received five days worth of meals per child in their household which included cold, frozen, and shelf-stable meals. Each family also received chocolate milk and regular milk.
As we drove to our next destination, I took the opportunity to ask Krystal and Jasmin about the logistics of this ambitious initiative. “The counties y’all are serving, I know you’re doing home delivery, grab and go, and you have the gift program,” I prompted.
“Yes,” Krystal affirmed. “We serve Abbeville County, and our team consists of six staff members. Additionally, we have a rotating group of about five volunteers each week. We’ve also had the police department, maintenance staff, and community church members help out. It’s truly a community effort.”
Jasmin chimed in, “Ms. Maxwell sent letters home with the children to spread the word, and we’ve advertised on social media and through posters. But a lot of it is word of mouth, which works really well in our community.”
The dedication of the team was evident as we continued our journey. Each stop revealed more about the heartwarming interactions between the staff and the families they served. “Last week, one of the families was incredibly thankful,” Jasmin recalled. “The mother told us how much of a blessing this program has been, especially with the rising costs of everything.”
“And the children,” Krystal added with a smile, “they get so excited to see us. Some of them even recognize us from the school and call out, ‘That’s our lunch lady!’ It’s such a good feeling.”
The conversation turned to the importance of the non-congregate model. “In your experience, why is the non-congregate program successful in comparison to the congregate program?” I asked.
Amanda reflected thoughtfully, “With the non-congregate model, we can reach children whose parents are working and can’t bring them to a central location. Many kids don’t have transportation, so delivering meals directly to their homes ensures they have access to food. We see children every day who are hungry, and this program helps bridge that gap, especially during the summer when they might not otherwise get regular meals.”
Krystal also mentioned how No Kid Hungry has made the home delivery model easier for them this year. The school district used the grant funding they were awarded to buy paper supplies, pay their staff, and rent two refrigerated trucks for their meal deliveries. The grant’s positive impact on their summer program has been immeasurable, added Krystal.
Despite the overwhelming positivity, the program faced its share of challenges. However, Krystal and Jasmin were quick to point out that any difficulties were outweighed by the rewards. “We haven’t really encountered many issues,” Jasmin said. “And the families are always so grateful. They open their doors to us warmly, even in neighborhoods that others might avoid.”
One story particularly stood out. Krystal recounted, “There was a middle school girl who recognized me in the grocery store the other day. She told her mom, ‘That’s the lady who brought us food last week.’ Moments like that remind us why we do this.”
The conversation continued as we made our way through the day’s deliveries. The dedication to providing nutritious and safe meals was a constant theme. “We ensure the nutritional value and quality of the meals by maintaining strict temperature controls and rotating dates,” Krystal explained. “We even have refrigerated trucks for larger deliveries.”
Inclusivity was another cornerstone of the program. “We accommodate dietary needs and allergies,” Krystal noted. “We have soy milk for those who can’t have regular milk, and we prepare special meals for children with dietary restrictions.”
As we wrapped up the day’s deliveries, the sense of community and purpose was undeniable. The Abbeville County School District’s non-congregate summer feeding program was more than just a meal delivery service—it was a lifeline for many families. “We love the outcome of what we’re doing,” Krystal said with a smile. “It’s a positive thing for our community, and we’re blessed to be able to help.”
Driving back, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the dedication and compassion of Krystal, Jasmin, and the entire team. Their efforts ensured that no child in Abbeville County went hungry, embodying the true spirit of community support and care.
