Organization aims to address childhood hunger with summer meal program
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.(KNWA/KFTA) — As summer vacation approaches, the concern of hunger looms over more than 22 million children across the United States who rely on school meal programs.
Vivian Nicholson, breakfast program director for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Program, emphasizes the importance of understanding available resources for families during this crucial period.
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance collaborates with organizations statewide to ensure that children in need have access to nourishing meals. Among these organizations is the No Kid Hungry program, which started in 2009 when Arkansas ranked number one in the nation for childhood hunger that same year.
Nicholson said that parents can proactively seek assistance from local food banks or pantries to identify available resources. Additionally, she recommends parents enroll in the new summer electronic benefit transfer program, designed to provide eligible families with a one-time payment of $120 per child to purchase food during the summer months.
“Some kids will automatically be enrolled in the program,” says Nicholson. “If they are within the schools on certain lists, if during the school year, they filled out a free or reduced application and are receiving free and reduced meals this school year, they’re already going to get that benefit.”
Nicholson directs families to the Department of Human Services website for application details.
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