Summer of Hunger

By Heifer International

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: June 30, 2010

Photo from flickr/HeyThereSpaceman. Creative Commons

What happens during the summer to all those students who rely on free or reduced school lunches? Many of them go hungry, according to a recent story from AOL News. It has always been a problem, but this year it looks to be especially bad.

"With the school year ending in communities across America, more than 16 million children face a summer of hunger.

"While classes were in session, they relied on free or discount cafeteria meals subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But they will not be reached by the patchwork summer food programs financed by the USDA, which feed fewer than one in five of the total number of kids poor enough to qualify."

The story goes on to chart summer meal participation rates by state and put forward new ideas for bridging the food security gap during the summer months.

Let's hear some of your ideas for alleviating summer hunger for children in need.