Rotary Club of Sarasota’s Post

September is #HungerActionMonth. Providing every child with access to a nutritious lunch is not just a matter of policy – it’s a moral imperative. We must advocate for robust funding and support for school meal programs, ensuring they can continue to provide healthy, appealing, and culturally appropriate meals to all children. Investing in school lunches is investing in our future. It’s a commitment to the well-being and potential of every child and a commitment to our collective future. It’s about recognizing that no child should have to learn on an empty stomach and that the path to a brighter, more equitable future starts with a simple, nourishing meal. Read more about the vital role school lunches play in strengthening our future: https://lnkd.in/eRvERncv

No child should go to school hungry. Did you know addressing food insecurity among families in need is significant to impact learning, especially during the back-to-school season? By learning how to use government, county, and community resources as well as budgeting, parents, grandparents, and extended families have a more viable ability to provide nutritious meals that ensure every child has access to proper nutrition for learning and growth. How would you help to solve hunger for children and families? #EndHunger #BacktoSchool #MainStreetMinistries

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of foodbanks, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

The Idaho Department of Education is seeking sponsors for this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to children 18 years and younger by operating sites located in low-income areas during the summer months. Learn more and/or sign up to sponsor a site ⬇️ ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dqwaQ6w According to Feeding America’s 2021 Map the Meal Gap, about 8.6 percent of Idaho’s children have experienced food insecurity. During the summer months, the challenge of reaching children and families in need of nutritional support grows. Sponsors are being sought across the state, especially in #rural areas where coverage gaps exist. The department is partnering with the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force to increase awareness and recruitment. Needs include: 📍 Region 1: There is a lack of adequate coverage in the communities of St. Maries, Boundary County, Kootenai, Kellogg and Wallace. 📍 Region 2: The only SFSP sponsors in Region 2 are in Lewiston, Lapwai, Moscow and Grangeville. 📍 Region 3: Only the Boise and West Ada school districts, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County currently cover Ada County. 📍 Region 6: SFSP does not have sponsors in Custer and Teton counties and only one in Lemhi County. #Idaho #education #FullBellies #CuriousMinds #FoodInsecurity #HungerRelief #community #SummerFoodServiceProgram

Important Update for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) This week only, the Cloudland Elementary School site will distribute meals on Friday, 07/05, instead of Thursday, to accommodate the July 4th holiday. Additionally, please note a policy update: Now, only parents or guardians need to be present to pick up meals. This change does not extend to other family members outside of designated parents/guardians. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! #SummerFoodService #FTHRA #CommunitySupport #HolidaySchedule #ImportantUpdate

Summer should be a time of joy and exploration for every child; however, it is often a tug-of-war for those experiencing food insecurity. When school is out of session, so are the free or reduced-price meals provided to nearly 25,000 children in the county. Our summer feeding program will distribute 5500 grocery boxes filled with kid-friendly food and nearly 20,000 heat & eat meals to help fill the gap for families when kids no longer have easy access to breakfast and lunch at school. Your support is crucial as we work to provide our kids the nutrition they need to keep growing and learning, even when school is not in session. Let's pull together, and beat summer hunger! https://lnkd.in/eNZrCuAp

More momentum with basic needs.

Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Food Insecurity at George Mason University Dear LinkedIn Community, In the heart of George Mason University lies a silent struggle that demands our attention: food insecurity among students. As a vibrant institution committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic student well-being, it's crucial that we address this pressing issue head-on. The Patriot Pantry, a vital resource for students facing food insecurity, remains relatively unknown, while the rate of students grappling with hunger continues to rise. Key Message Strategies: 1. Awareness: Our primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the prevalence of food insecurity on our campus. By raising awareness, we aim to break the stigma surrounding this issue and encourage open dialogue. 2. Accessibility: The Patriot Pantry stands as a beacon of hope for students in need. Through this campaign, we strive to make the pantry more accessible and well-known to those who may benefit from its services. 3. Community Support: We believe that addressing food insecurity is a collective responsibility. By rallying the support of our community, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Call to Action: Join us in our mission to combat food insecurity at George Mason University. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow Patriots. Visit https://lnkd.in/eqZKQEj9 to learn more about the Patriot Pantry and discover how you can get involved. As members of the George Mason University community, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with our peers facing food insecurity. Let's work together to ensure that every student has access to the nourishment they need to thrive academically and personally. Sincerely, Mason Food Security ssac@gmu.edu

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of food banks/food pantries, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

We applaud D.C. officials for joining Maryland and Virginia in announcing they will implement USDA’s new Summer EBT program! In D.C., 80,000 children will be eligible to receive Summer EBT benefits, which will provide $40 per month in federally funded grocery benefits to help families purchase food while school is out of session. This will have a huge impact on families in our region, because we know that: 🍎 For too many kids across our region, school may provide the only nutritious meals they receive on a given day and when school is out, those meals go away. 🍎 The average family grocery bill goes up by hundreds of dollars each month over the summer when kids aren’t in school. That can strain household finances, particularly in a region like ours with a high cost of living.   🍎 Families are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. Households with kids are still 60% more likely to struggle accessing enough food compared to households without kids. We're thankful that this summer, families in our region will have another resource to support them in accessing the nutritious food their kids need to grow and thrive! #SummerEBT #foodinsecurity