The Food Shuttle always uses multiple strategies to tackle hunger, and feeding at-risk children over the summer is no different. Read below to see what we are doing to feed kids kids in Durham now that school is out.
Just because the traditional academic year is over, don’t think that our childhood nutrition programs are on vacation! In partnership with businesses, nonprofits, and schools, BackPack Buddies and School Pantries keep feeding children and families straight through the summer break. Amber Simmons, Child Hunger Programs Supervisor, says “this is the biggest summer effort since I started at the Food Shuttle!”
The Food Shuttle provides BackPacks at several Durham sites this summer, and we have the Triangle United Way to thank for that! June 21st was their Day of Action, bringing together corporate groups such as Principal Financial, BlueCross NC, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car to prepare 1,500 bags of food, along with books, provided by UNC-TV.
Partners East Durham Children's Initiative (EDCI), PORCH-Durham, and YMCA summer camps will distribute bags to kids who need them the most, while Durham Public Schools works with us to support students at Fayetteville and Parkwood Elementary schools.
Beyond BackPacks, kids attending summer camps at EDCI also receive Food Shuttle hot lunches and breakfast bags (5 breakfasts in each bag) to take home; and School Pantries continue to serve the community at Durham Tech, and, Githins and Brogden middle schools.
Hunger doesn’t take the summer off, so neither do we! We could never accomplish all this without dedicated, responsible partners … corporate, non-profit, and individuals … all working together to ensure that Durham’s children are fed. Thanks, everyone!