RELEASE: Tennessee schools and organizations continue to offer meals while school is out this summer to combat childhood hunger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 7, 2021

Contact: Adrienne Carter, acarter@strength.org

RELEASE: Tennessee 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 Marissa Spady.

6/7/21, 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 Tennessee remain nourished and healthy, the campaign recently announced nearly $400,000 in grants to 22 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 Marissa Spady, No Kid Hungry Tennessee’s Program Associate. “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 Tennessee:

  • Athens-McMinn Young Men’s Christian Association
  • Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga
  • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis
  • Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee
  • Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains
  • Boys and Girls Club of South Central Tennessee
  • Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley
  • Chattanooga Area Food Bank
  • Elijah’s Heart
  • For the Kingdom Inc.
  • Gestalt Community Schools
  • Greater Harvest Church
  • Hamblen County Department of Education School Nutrition
  • Manna Café Ministries
  • Memphis and Shelby County Lead Safe Collaborative
  • Nashville Inner City Ministry, Inc.
  • Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA)
  • Rhea County School Nutrition
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
  • The University of the South
  • Trudy’s Kids Cafe
  • Youth Encouragement Services, Inc.

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.