Summer break is supposed to be a time of fun activities and adventures, but for some children, summer vacation means less day-to-day structure and fewer reliable meals. According to Feeding America, 10.3% of Johnson County children experienced food insecurity in 2019.
That means more than 3,000 children in our community are without access to the nutrition they need to lead healthy, active lives.
This spring, Food Bank visits are up nearly 1,000 assists per month compared to last year. We expect the need to increase over the summer months as families try to bridge the gap between their income and basic needs. Historically high gas prices, inflation and a higher cost of living make it extremely difficult to manage a budget and give kids the summer break they deserve.
Throughout the United States, one in four families is on the verge of food insecurity, according to a 2020 report by Feeding America. Most children within this group rely on free breakfast and lunch from their schools as their primary meals during the school year. When school is out for the summer, those same children are less likely to receive complete meals. That’s why CommUnity’s Strike Out Hunger food drive, sponsored by Hills Bank, aims to help keep its pantry shelves stocked throughout the summer months.
Your support for Strike Out Hunger, sponsored by Hills Bank, will help us make a positive impact on the lives of children in our community.
