[Contact: Sarah Steely at 570-854-5023 or ssteely@strength.org]
Richmond, Va. (January 2, 2024) – No Kid Hungry recently distributed $251,675 in grants to 12 school districts in Virginia to create and grow sustainable meal programs that maximize school breakfast participation among students.
The funds support Breakfast After the Bell programs, where breakfast is served after the official start of the school day in classrooms or common areas. When breakfast is served after the bell, participation increases noticeably, as kids don’t miss out on a meal as a result of a tight bus schedule, a hectic morning at home or even stigma.
Research shows that kids who eat breakfast are more focused, score significantly higher on tests and miss fewer days of school. A recent study commissioned by No Kid Hungry shows that when schools implement Breakfast After the Bell, they see chronic absenteeism rates drop, on average, by six percentage points.
“School meals like breakfast are deeply connected to student success,” said Sarah Steely, Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia. “By investing in school breakfast programs, we help ensure that children receive the nutrition they need to succeed academically while building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Breakfast has many benefits for students, and we’re here to help schools reach more kids with the most important meal of the day.”
Below are the most recent recipients of No Kid Hungry Virginia’s grants:
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Alleghany Highlands Public Schools
- Buchanan County Public Schools
- Buena Vista Public Schools
- Caroline County Public Schools
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Loudoun County Public Schools
- Louisa County Public Schools
- Montgomery County Public Schools
- Shenandoah County Public Schools
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Warren County Public Schools
Today, 1 in 11 kids face hunger in Virginia. No Kid Hungry works to end childhood hunger by making sure every child gets three meals a day.
A No Kid Hungry analysis of schools in 14 states including Virginia found that implementing Breakfast After the Bell programs can increase breakfast participation up to 88% among students whose household income qualifies them for free or reduced-price lunch.
The latest grants will support schools as they launch and strengthen Breakfast After the Bell programs by upgrading and purchasing equipment such as coolers and carts.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. 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.