Feeding Sites: Your organization can make a difference
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While West Virginians care deeply about the health and education of our children, there is not often an opportunity for most of us to do something that directly affects those kids. Each summer, however, that opportunity presents itself in the form of feeding programs sponsored by the state Department of Education.
And each year the call goes out anew for local government agencies, nonprofit groups and other organizations to help implement the program.
"Supporting summer feeding sites in your community is one of the most important things you can do to ensure no child goes hungry this summer," state Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach said. "Children require consistent, good-quality nutrition for the development of their minds and bodies. We want to make certain every child returns to the classroom in the fall ready to learn."
Think about how it affects your work and attitude to be hungry for even a day, let alone three months. Too many children in our state are enduring conditions the rest of us are fortunate to be incapable of imagining. And throughout the academic year 75% of Mountain State kids qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school.
When that last bell rings at the end of the year, some of them must turn to the free meals being provided in lower-income areas in schools, churches, community centers, pools, parks, libraries, summer camps and housing complexes. Those meals may be all they get in a day.
To make sure those meals can continue, consider whether your organization can become a 2023 summer sponsor --and call the Office of Child Nutrition at 304-558-3396 to get the ball rolling. It will do a world of good.