Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
13 million children in the United States wake up each day and don’t know how much they will have to eat – if anything at all.
When children attend school, they can be confident they will receive at least one meal that day. Programs like The Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun (BBFL) ensure food insecure families receive additional food in order to make meals at home during non-school hours.
But what happens when school is out for the summer? Does hunger take a vacation?
No – it does not. And for the 1 in 6 children in the U.S. who are food insecure, the summer months are long and full of hunger.
There are many programs trying to fill the gap between school-end and school-beginning to keep children fed with nutritious meals and snacks. But they struggle to keep up with demand – especially during the crisis of a global pandemic.
In the state of Virginia alone, over 38 million meals were served to children in the summer months of 2020 – an increase of 30 million from previous years.
Hunger does not only cause physical pain and suffering, but children who go hungry jeopardize their health, development, education and future careers. They may need to repeat a grade in elementary school, experience developmental delays and impairments, and are more likely to have social and behavioral issues. Children who do not have enough to eat are prone to face health conditions such as asthma or anemia.
“Your financial support will enable us to create a food and supply pantry for our neighborhood…The pantry will not only assist those in need but also teach our students the importance of being kind and giving to others.” - Jeff Joseph, Principal Dominion Trail Elementary.
There are many programs and organizations available for those who would like to give or receive help when it comes to childhood hunger locally. In order to fulfill our mission and to eradicate hunger in our community, we all need financial support to ease the worry of children who worry about where they will find their next meal.
Catholic Charities – Leesburg Food Pantry
Salvation Army – Feed the Hungry Program
Lucketts Community Food Pantry