Grants from No Kid Hungry exceed $4.1 million since start of the pandemic as groups continue to offer free meals to combat childhood hunger
[Contact: Sarah Steely at 570-854-5023 or ssteely@strength.org]
Richmond, VA. (Dec. 6, 2021) – No Kid Hungry recently distributed $125,000 in grants to Virginia community organizations and school districts to expand and strengthen food access programs for children and families. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the nonprofit has invested more than $4.1 million to help ensure Virginia’s children stay nourished and ready to learn.
The holiday break can be one of the hungriest times of year for many kids who rely on the meals they typically get at school. This year, that’s exacerbated by the continuing economic impact of the pandemic. Today, as many as one in eight children in Virginia may face hunger.
At the same time, many school districts are facing staffing and supply chain challenges that are making it even more difficult than ever to feed kids.
The latest round of funding will help organizations purchase meal service equipment and navigate rising food costs. Grant recipients include:
- Annandale United Methodist Church
- Caroline County Public Schools
- Community Storehouse
- Fauquier FISH
- Lynchburg City Public Schools
- Northern Virginia Family Services
- Virginia Hospital Center
- Winchester Rescue Mission
“We are proud to work alongside the strong network of organizations that are addressing food insecurity in Virginia,” said No Kid Hungry Director Sarah Steely. “As the hunger crisis continues, expanding access to nutritious meals is more important than ever. We are thankful for the nutrition teams that continue to go above and beyond to connect students and families with meals.”
Thanks in part to the extension of federal waivers, schools across the state continue to offer flexible meal service options such as multiple meal pick-ups and delivery programs to help reach more kids.
Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school or visit their school district’s website for details about meal service.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.