USDA and No Kid Hungry provide free meals to the community
MARYLAND – Across the State, there are many little mouths to feed, and Caroline County has stepped up to the plate in a big way. This is all thanks to a new initiative by the USDA to reach families in rural communities.
This new initiative aims to ensure students in rural communities who do not have transportation or access to Summer Meals sites are still getting the nutrition they need when school is not in session. Assistant Director for No Kid Hungry Kara Pantowiz says that helping kids in their time of need is what she does.
“Caroline County Public Schools does an amazing job with their summer meals program… They have a van that they take around into neighborhoods, and communities to make sure kids can really get the meals they need in the summertime.” The van makes many stops not only at schools but in lower-income communities as well. Kara says without this, kids would possibly go hungry.
So kids don’t starve this summer, they are encouraged to come get a meal, no matter who you are. Kara’s favorite part about this entire experience is putting a meal in a child’s tummy. “During the school year, all the kids are going to school, they have access to meals at school, during their school day, during summer it’s a different story… Anyone who wants it. Any kid 18 or younger, can go to a site, no questions asked, no ID required. which is really amazing thing about the program… The fact that Caroline County goes out into the community and actually makes sure meals are in neighborhoods where kids are, is really important.” They say they will feed every hungry child they can and to look on their website for food security resources.
Maryland Sun Bucks
Governor Wes Moore recently announced the launch of Maryland Sun Bucks, a new benefits program that provides families $120 to buy groceries for school-aged children this summer. Officials says this is one of the largest investments Maryland has seen to help feed our children. The program is open to children who also took part in the Caroline County Free summer Meals Program.
Roberta Hodsdon- the Child Nutrition Director for the USDA, works with both programs. She says this fills the gaps during the summer months, and with this program, kids don’t have to choose one over the other. “Children who come to a site like this, or kids who get meals delivered to their home or they pick up, they can still participate in Sun Bucks… There are some children who will have to apply, the vast majority of students will automatically be eligible, and receive the benefits automatically on their snap card. or a separate card if they don’t participate in SNAP.”
Officials say that Sun Bucks has already been a big help to needy families this summer, and they plan to continue it next year.
