When school’s out, hunger doesn’t take a break. For many South Carolina kids, especially in rural areas, summer can be one of the hungriest times of the year. No Kid Hungry South Carolina awarded over $245,000 in grants to 17 schools and community organizations working to make sure more kids get the meals they need.
This summer, No Kid Hungry South Carolina is providing grant funds to summer meal programs focused on expanding access to rural non-congregate summer meals, especially in areas facing persistent or very high poverty. Whether delivering more meals directly to homes or setting up additional grab-and-go sites in hard-to-reach places, sponsors can use this funding to reach more kids in more ways. Our grant funding goes to pay for everything from refrigerators to delivery trucks – whatever schools and communities need to feed kids.
This year, the following school districts and community organizations received grants in South Carolina:
- Abbeville County School District
- Charleston County School District
- Community Assistance Mentoring Program
- Greenwood School District 50
- KT Destiny Center, Inc.
- Partners For Change Of The Carolinas
- Performing Arts and Sciences Academy
- School District of Pickens County
- Serenity Charity Club Inc
- Sheep Gate Ministries, Inc
- Spartanburg 04
- The Lowcountry Food Bank
- THE SMARTBOX
- Thornwell Charter School
- Union County School District
- Upstate Circle of Friends
- Family YMCA of Greater Augusta
These summer meal sponsors in South Carolina are already making an impact. One of many that stand out is the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, an experienced sponsor that’s been serving summer meals in South Carolina for years.
When Cheryl Wirt, Chief Financial Officer, first brought up the idea of expanding their food program, she was told the Y “doesn’t do food.” But she knew that YMCAs across the country were running food programs, and she believed every kid, no matter which Y they go to, should have access to balanced meals. Too often, parents forget to pack meals, and staff are left scrambling to figure it out. Cheryl wanted consistency, ensuring that no child went without. This summer, No Kid Hungry South Carolina is happy to support the expansion of rural non-congregate summer meal programs across the state.
For more information on this year’s grant awards, review the official press release on our website.
