{"id":13150,"date":"2023-06-28T18:51:31","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T18:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/?page_id=13150"},"modified":"2025-04-02T21:03:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T21:03:32","slug":"what-we-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/what-we-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"13150\" class=\"elementor elementor-13150\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-38f60846 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"38f60846\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5df4d976\" data-id=\"5df4d976\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4de6c257 elementor-button-success elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4de6c257\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"#schoolmeals\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-school\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">School Meals<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2d71892d\" data-id=\"2d71892d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-556ba476 elementor-button-info elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"556ba476\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"#summermeals\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-sun\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Summer Meals<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-23bb10f9\" data-id=\"23bb10f9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5eb62000 elementor-button-warning elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5eb62000\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"#afterschoolmeals\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-home\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Afterschool Meals<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd93a6f\" data-id=\"dd93a6f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60c7ae38 elementor-button-success elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"60c7ae38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"#snap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-shopping-bag\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">SNAP<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-62865ec2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"62865ec2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3960ca82\" data-id=\"3960ca82\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14ec42ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14ec42ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>School Meals<\/h1><p>Schools are at the center of our communities and our kids\u2019 lives. That\u2019s why school meal programs are at the heart of No Kid Hungry\u2019s work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-509e0185 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"509e0185\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1cb6d500\" data-id=\"1cb6d500\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-45c09fdf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"45c09fdf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ed54cc5\" data-id=\"4ed54cc5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b360d97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b360d97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>School Breakfast<\/h2><p><span style=\"color: #1f1f1f;font-family: 'Gotham Book';font-size: 16px;font-weight: 400\">Every day, students in Texas<\/span><span style=\"color: #1f1f1f;font-family: 'Gotham Book';font-size: 16px;font-weight: 400\">\u00a0start their school day on an empty stomach. It\u2019s hard for them to focus and learn, which is why it\u2019s critical for them to start their day off right with a healthy breakfast. The School Breakfast Program, created in 1975 is a federally-funded program operated by school districts across the country to facilitate making a balanced breakfast more accessible for all students.<\/span><\/p><div><p>Participation by traditional school breakfast can be hindered by many factors, including:\u00a0<\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Transportation:<\/strong> The school bus doesn\u2019t arrive with enough time for students to get breakfast in the cafeteria and eat it before school starts.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Stigma:<\/strong> Particularly in middle and high school students, there is often a stigma associated with eating breakfast in the cafeteria and students will avoid it to ensure they aren\u2019t perceived negatively by their peers.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Lack of resources:<\/strong> For low-income families, sometimes there may not be enough food at home for a healthy breakfast.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Busy mornings:<\/strong> Regardless of income, many families are rushed in the morning and don\u2019t have time to eat breakfast at home.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-303e73d6\" data-id=\"303e73d6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c2a0f12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2c2a0f12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e84ca28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"5e84ca28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"50\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c1299d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c1299d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">of students eligible for free or reduced price meals eat <strong>school breakfast<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-20d8d8d5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"20d8d8d5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42a52d04\" data-id=\"42a52d04\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7be70055 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7be70055\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Breakfast-Colorado-2012-17-e1678738037328-1024x774.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13122\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Breakfast-Colorado-2012-17-e1678738037328-1024x774.png 1024w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Breakfast-Colorado-2012-17-e1678738037328-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Breakfast-Colorado-2012-17-e1678738037328-768x580.png 768w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Breakfast-Colorado-2012-17-e1678738037328.png 1039w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b8b83d1\" data-id=\"4b8b83d1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a5f4cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a5f4cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"background-color: #61ce70;padding: 25px\"><h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">Solving the Problem<\/span><\/h3><p>We know that students who participate in school breakfast achieve higher test scores and attend school more regularly. That\u2019s why we work to increase participation as a part of our strategy to end childhood hunger by incorporating\u00a0<b>Breakfast After the Bell<\/b>. We provide schools with necessary technical expertise and grants, working with them on ways to increase the number of kids by incorporating breakfast as a part of the school day.<\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff\" href=\"https:\/\/bestpractices.nokidhungry.org\/programs\/school-breakfast\/implement-breakfast-after-the-bell#three-effective-approaches-to-breakfast-after-the-bell\">Learn more<\/a><\/span>\u00a0about breakfast after the bell models like <strong>Breakfast in the Classroom<\/strong>, <strong>Grab and Go<\/strong> and <strong>Second Chance Breakfast.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-154d116f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"154d116f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-521d7139\" data-id=\"521d7139\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20efb2a2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"20efb2a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-519444b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"519444b5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-54934ea\" data-id=\"54934ea\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63e0a8ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"63e0a8ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6df1a2af elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"6df1a2af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"50\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-713d08a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"713d08a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">of students eligible for free or reduced price meals eat <strong>school lunch<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-766e4fa3\" data-id=\"766e4fa3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a3f6cff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a3f6cff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>School Lunch<\/h2><p>School lunch offers students a healthy, balanced meal that they can rely upon during the school day. The National School Lunch Program is the nation\u2019s second largest food and nutrition assistance program and feeds more than 30 million children each day. Healthy school lunches boost academic performance and closes the opportunity gap for children across the country.\u00a0<\/p><h3>Solving the Problem\u00a0<\/h3><p>At No Kid Hungry Texas, we know that one of the best ways to ensure that students who rely on school meals have access to them is by offering them at no cost.<\/p><p>There are several funding options for expanding no cost school meals. To learn more about those options, we encourage you to visit the links below:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/squaremeals.org\/Programs\/National-School-Lunch-Program\/Eligibility-and-Verification\/Special-Provisions\">Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/squaremeals.org\/Programs\/National-School-Lunch-Program\/Eligibility-and-Verification\/Special-Provisions\">Provision 2<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/squaremeals.org\/Programs\/National-School-Lunch-Program\/Eligibility-and-Verification#:~:text=Qualified%20school%2Dage%20students%20from,School%20Breakfast%20Program%20(SBP)\">Non-Pricing<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-560663fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"560663fd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56b54acb\" data-id=\"56b54acb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b741e71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"b741e71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"summermeals\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ae56ed9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7ae56ed9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47610b55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47610b55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Summer Meals<\/h2><p>Summer is a time for connection, exploration, and fun! Summer meal programs make sure children and young people have the nutrition they need to do just that. During the school year, meals are available to kids through school breakfast and lunch. But kids lose critical access to meals during the summer when schools are out. To fill this gap, many local schools and community organizations across Texas<span style=\"color: #ff0000\">\u00a0<\/span>operate summer meal programs to provide food to kids at no cost. Summer meal programs are operated locally, overseen by the <a href=\"https:\/\/squaremeals.org\/\">Texas Department of Agriculture<\/a>, and administered and funded by the US Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a856d17 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a856d17\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77d34d20\" data-id=\"77d34d20\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a6a39b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a6a39b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"background-color: #fdb917;padding: 25px\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #333333\">Summer meals are:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Available for <strong>any kid or teen up to age 18<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Available at <strong>no cost\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Require <strong>no paperwork, signups,<\/strong> or <strong>eligibility confirmation<\/strong> required<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Fun!<\/strong> Many programs incorporate fun activities like art projects, sports, and science experiments in addition to serving meals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-196fbb37\" data-id=\"196fbb37\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2de353da elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2de353da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Summer-Meals-Montana-Whitefish-Youth-Ambassadors-2021-574-e1678738299850-1024x604.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13123\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Summer-Meals-Montana-Whitefish-Youth-Ambassadors-2021-574-e1678738299850-1024x604.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Summer-Meals-Montana-Whitefish-Youth-Ambassadors-2021-574-e1678738299850-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Summer-Meals-Montana-Whitefish-Youth-Ambassadors-2021-574-e1678738299850-768x453.jpg 768w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Summer-Meals-Montana-Whitefish-Youth-Ambassadors-2021-574-e1678738299850.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-79e409bc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"79e409bc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4122faf3\" data-id=\"4122faf3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28eddaa4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"28eddaa4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Barriers<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Summer meals haven\u2019t been reaching all the children and young people who experience food insecurity. Without reliable sources of healthy food throughout the summer, kids who live with families experiencing financial hardship are at greater risk of returning to school further behind academically, which can have exponential ramifications year after year.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6cef2988 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6cef2988\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a99f6\" data-id=\"5a99f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cf3df32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cf3df32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"background-color: #63c8cc;padding: 25px\"><p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">One of the main barriers to participation in Summer Meals is because kids and families simply don\u2019t know they exist! To help combat this every year, No Kid Hungry runs a free texting service that helps connect families with meals in their neighborhoods.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\"><strong><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-5e122e26-7fff-3a8a-efa5-9cba544e74c4\">Parents and caregivers simply text the word \u201cFOOD\u201d or \u201cCOMIDA\u201d to 304-304 to see nearby meal locations. They can also access the texting service via WhatsApp by visiting <a style=\"color: #ffffff\" href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send\/?phone=%2B12029534740&amp;text=Chat%20With%20No%20Kid%20Hungry&amp;type=phone_number&amp;app_absent=0\">NoKidHungry.org\/WhatsApp<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e901370 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e901370\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57c83f00\" data-id=\"57c83f00\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-638e8800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"638e8800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another reason for low summer meals participation is limited transportation. In both rural and urban areas, if parents work during the day, children may be unable to get to the locations where meals and activities happen. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve made it one of our top priorities to support summer grocery benefits and non-congregate meal service wherever possible. Non-congregate models like grab &amp; go pick-up or delivery allow children to eat at home and provide more flexibility and support to families, and grocery benefits give households more buying power to cover additional meals at home.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c2db4b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c2db4b2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20c84858\" data-id=\"20c84858\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d7ac57a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d7ac57a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Solving the Problem<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the first time, programs in rural areas may be eligible to serve non-congregate meals. The passage of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bestpractices.nokidhungry.org\/resource\/summary-share-our-strength-priorities-and-relevant-provisions-consolidated-appropriations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> permanently authorized a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bestpractices.nokidhungry.org\/programs\/summer-meals?tab=implementation-strategies#implementation-strategies-5\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">non-congregate meal service option<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for rural communities without access to a congregate site. It also created a permanent nationwide <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bestpractices.nokidhungry.org\/programs\/pandemic-and-summer-ebt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Summer EBT) starting summer 2024 that will provide grocery benefits to families of children and young people eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>Together, rural non-congregate meals, Summer EBT, and traditional congregate meals form a Summer Meals program that can better combat summer hunger.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No Kid Hungry Texas<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has joined communities across the state who are offering summer meals to provide support, guidance, and funding to ensure children and young people have access to needed food when school is out. Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/resources\/\">Resources<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #000000\">\u00a0<\/span>page to learn more!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33bb181f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33bb181f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cba2b65\" data-id=\"cba2b65\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ccc1e46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"5ccc1e46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"afterschoolmeals\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-764d861d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"764d861d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-126f7426 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"126f7426\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Afterschool Meals<\/h1>\n<p>Afterschool meal and snack programs allow educational and enrichment programs to provide kids with the nutrition they need. We are&nbsp;committed to supporting existing programs, increasing participation and making meals available year-round.<\/p>\n<p>There are two federal programs that support feeding kids after the school day ends, the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool program and through a snack component of the National School Lunch Program for school districts. <a href=\"http:\/\/bestpractices.nokidhungry.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-07\/NSLP%20Snack-CACFP%20Meals%20Comparison_06-21.pdf\">Click here<\/a> to learn more about the differences between these programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-652a68fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"652a68fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"background-color: #fdb917;padding: 25px\"><strong><span style=\"color: #333333\">For many kids, afterschool meals may be the only source of nutrition a child receives before breakfast the next day. Both school districts and community organizations play a critical role in ensuring kids receive both enrichment and food after the school day ends.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2721e794 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2721e794\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1920763\" data-id=\"1920763\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4397fc63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4397fc63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Solving the Problem<\/h3><p>We are committed to spreading awareness and supporting program sponsors operating afterschool meal programs to support kids with the nutrition they need to stay full and focused after the final bell rings.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2cd71482\" data-id=\"2cd71482\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2db11b elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e2db11b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Afterschool-Meals-North-Carolina-South-Rowan-High-School-2019-207-1024x682.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13124\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Afterschool-Meals-North-Carolina-South-Rowan-High-School-2019-207-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Afterschool-Meals-North-Carolina-South-Rowan-High-School-2019-207-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Afterschool-Meals-North-Carolina-South-Rowan-High-School-2019-207-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/Afterschool-Meals-North-Carolina-South-Rowan-High-School-2019-207.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec34468 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ec34468\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46a12965\" data-id=\"46a12965\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46b0a0d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"46b0a0d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"snap\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70bba7e0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"70bba7e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c5fdc46 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c5fdc46\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-67a0a120\" data-id=\"67a0a120\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e2f0b5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e2f0b5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>SNAP<\/h1><p>The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition program in the United States, feeding roughly 40 million people each year. <strong>It is also the largest child anti-hunger program, with nearly half of SNAP recipients being children and two-thirds of SNAP benefits going to households with children. <\/strong>Texas provides monthly benefits to help support family\u2019s food budgets to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1fc2e768 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1fc2e768\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1aaf1551\" data-id=\"1aaf1551\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33cc43da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33cc43da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Barriers<\/h3><p>When kids are enrolled in SNAP, they get the food they need to succeed both at home and at school, but many eligible families may not know they qualify or how to sign up. Any household (defined as a family, an individual, or any combination) that purchases food and prepares meals together may qualify for assistance depending on combined income.<\/p><p>Citizens of the United States or non-citizens who are legally residing in the U.S. are eligible to apply for benefits. Non-citizen parents may be able to receive benefits for their children if they are citizens as well. To learn more about benefits and eligibility, we encourage you to visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.texas.gov\/services\/food\/snap-food-benefits\">Texas Health and Human Services Commission&#8217;s\u00a0website<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3bea471\" data-id=\"3bea471\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7857b361 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7857b361\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-762850f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"762850f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"50\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-366d368f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"366d368f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">of families eligible for SNAP are enrolled in the program.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3d73b31f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3d73b31f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-586a4db\" data-id=\"586a4db\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30f9bad8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30f9bad8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"background-color: #ee688c;padding: 25px\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">It\u2019s important to note that public charge rules DO NOT apply to programs like SNAP, Pandemic EBT, WIC, and school meal programs. Participating in one or more of these programs will not affect an individual&#8217;s immigration status or chances of receiving legal permanent residency in the future. \n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a1bf4fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a1bf4fd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-13e6c3\" data-id=\"13e6c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5800367c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5800367c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Solving the Problem<\/h3><h4 style=\"font-size: 16px\">Outreach and Advocacy<\/h4><p>Raising awareness about SNAP and providing needed support during the application process is crucial in ensuring families and children have adequate resources needed to thrive.<\/p><p>By addressing common barriers to SNAP access through outreach and assistance, we\u2019re ensuring more people who already qualify have the information they need to apply and receive benefits.<\/p><p>One way to do this is by supporting SNAP outreach through schools.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6415643c\" data-id=\"6415643c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1895ac27 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1895ac27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/CP-Kids-and-Parents-1-1024x682.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13125\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/CP-Kids-and-Parents-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/CP-Kids-and-Parents-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/CP-Kids-and-Parents-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/CP-Kids-and-Parents-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2237201 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2237201\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"font-size: 16px\">SNAP in Schools<\/h4><p>School districts can play an important role in supporting access to SNAP as a trusted information source for students, parents and caregivers. An added benefit is that increasing SNAP \u00a0access supports the whole school community and helps schools!<\/p><p>Increasing SNAP access for eligible families helps to:<\/p><ul><li>Directly certify more children for free meals while boosting school nutrition revenue<\/li><li>Securing money for education programs and supports like libraries and internet access<\/li><li>Improving student education outcomes<\/li><li>Providing more resources for families and communities, like discounted internet services and identifying areas eligible for community-wide afterschool and summer meal programs.<\/li><li>Become eligible for and increase revenue potential in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools to offer free school meals for all students.<\/li><\/ul><p>For more information on SNAP and how you can support, please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/resources\/\">Resources\u00a0<\/a>page!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d401836 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d401836\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-397092ca\" data-id=\"397092ca\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee592fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ee592fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>School Meals Summer Meals Afterschool Meals SNAP School Meals Schools are at the center of our communities and our kids\u2019 lives. That\u2019s why school meal programs are at the heart&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13150","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What We Do - TEXAS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/texas\/what-we-do\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What We Do - TEXAS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"School Meals Summer Meals Afterschool Meals SNAP School Meals Schools are at the center of our communities and our kids\u2019 lives. 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