Summer Hunger

Did you know, 31 million children living in our country receive free and reduced priced school lunches?  With summer officially in full swing, and the majority of us planning vacations and trips to the beach, the thought of those affected negatively by the end of the school year often falls to the wayside.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Hungry kids? What Hungry Kids!", but the truth is we are surrounded by children living not only with hunger, but in poverty and in some cases homelessness.  In fact, there are approximately 80,000 people at risk of hunger in Essex County, MA alone.

In and around our community and across the country there are a number of different organizations committed to providing children with summer meals including breakfast, lunch and snacks.  These programs are designed to help children gain access to nutritious food throughout the summer months, but the children at risk of hunger and their families need to know about these programs for them to be successful.  Helping can be as simple as clicking one little tweet or share button.   Below is some information on organizations in our community working to fight hunger.  If you know of a child(ren) at risk of hunger, and even if you don't, please share this information.  It could mean a summer's worth of meals for a child at risk of hunger.  #BeTheChange

Thanks for reading! ~ Michele :)

Project Bread  Food Source Hotline 1-800-645-8333 and Hunger Map
National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY

Child Nutrition Outreach Program: Resource Page

Local area food banks and pantries that can connect you with summer feeding programs: Lazarus House, Cor Unum, Bread and Roses, North Parish Church, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Dracut Food Pantry, Table of Plenty 

National organizations making a difference: Share Our Strength, Feeding America