FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | December 15, 2020
Contact: Marissa Spady, mspady@strength.org
No Kid Hungry Tennessee Promotes School Meal Programs during the pandemic and supports districts efforts to reach all students
Chattanooga, TN – As part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in Tennessee remain nourished and healthy, the campaign announced today an additional $354,000 in grants to 12 school districts to support school meal programs this school year.
“School meals are available to students across Tennessee no matter if they are learning remotely or participating in a hybrid model,” says Marissa Spady, program associate for the No Kid Hungry campaign. “We at No Kid Hungry are in awe of the phenomenal work of school nutrition staff. They have been at the front lines of this pandemic, working creatively and diligently to reach all of their students by offering curbside pickup meals, delivering meals to bus stops or community centers, collaborating with community groups to offer additional family food boxes, and more.”
Below are the most recent recipients of the 2020 No Kid Hungry grants from across the state of Tennessee, with funds totaling over $700,000 this year. Take a look at the map below to learn more information about the grantees in Tennessee.
- Bristol City Schools
- Carter County Schools
- Cheatham County Schools
- Fayetteville City Schools
- Grundy County Schools
- Hamilton County Schools
- Manchester City Schools
- McNairy County Schools
- Polk County Schools
- Roane County Schools
- Sequatchie County Schools
- West Carroll Special School District
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse Survey, nearly 12 million parents and caregivers across our nation said that their children didn’t have enough to eat because their families couldn’t afford it. Nearly 200,000 of those are right here in Tennessee.
Despite the extraordinary need, many children are missing out on school meals. Families can text FOOD or COMIDA to 877 877 to learn more about meal site options available near them and should reach out to their local school district for information on how to collect school meals.