BUILDING BETTER TO INCREASE IMPACT

There is a lot I get excited about in the summer. Opportunities to go outside for a hike. Warm summer evenings. Going on bike rides.
And do you know what else I am excited about this summer? Our improved Summer Meals program.

This summer, we will deliver close to 225,000 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to children all over South Jersey who don’t have access to the same free and reduced meals they receive during the school year.

We’ve carefully upgraded Summer Meals to reduce barriers to participation, provide better meal options, and increase our distribution capabilities. Children in our program will enjoy all the fun of summer, with less concern about being hungry.

Unfortunately, the challenge of summer hunger has only increased in recent years, with new statistics showing that 1 in 7 children in South Jersey are facing food insecurity.

There is nothing acceptable about this reality. But that’s why we are always looking to improve how we serve our youth and how we can reach even more children. We remain committed to our most vulnerable population, working hard to ensure kids have enough food to thrive 365 days a year – during the school year on the weekends and after school and during these long summer days.

We are immensely grateful to tackle this challenge with continued support from our Food Bank family, partners like Wawa, our elected officials, and everyone whose generosity is helping us ensure kids have what they need to flourish.

 

Fred C. Wasiak
President & CEO
Food Bank of South Jersey

 

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