3 ways food banks can help hungry kids and families this summer
Far too many children and families are worried about where their next meal will come from โ but Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan has launched its summer programming to address hunger across Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Macomb and Monroe counties.
Michiganders continue to face hunger this summer. Hereโs how you can help.
Summer is upon us, and for many Michiganders, warm weather, sparkling lakes and summer vacations come to mind. However, for one in six people -- and one in five children -- across southeast Michigan, the summer months can magnify an issue that negatively impacts every facet of day-to-day life: hunger.
Gleaners Community Food Bank to hold virtual 2021 Womenโs Power Breakfast, address child hunger
With child food insecurity on the rise, some of southeast Michiganโs most powerful and influential corporate, civic and nonprofit female leaders will unite virtually on May 4, 2021, from 7 to 9 a.m., during Gleaners Community Food Bankโs 2021 Womenโs Power Breakfast in support of the organizationโs work to end childhood hunger.
Want to help kids in need? Every dollar donated through this program provides 6 meals for a hungry child
For kids, missing meals can result not only in poor health and behavioral challenges, but also significant learning loss. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing many disruptions for school-age kids, children facing summer hunger during extended school closures could fall even further behind their classmates. It also has helped fund Gleaners Summer Food Service Program, providing groceries or meals at sites across the region. A report by Feeding America released in June estimates childhood hunger in Southeast Michigan could grow to nearly 24% in the coming months. With consistent access to nutritious meals, we can ensure kids have the best possible academic and health outcomes, Bonelli said.
Michigan families struggle to find food during COVID-19 pandemic
To help alleviate some of the burden Southeast Michigan families face, Gleaners Community Food Bank has expanded its services, including Summer Food Service Program sites, where kids enjoy daily meals, and drive-up food distributions, where families receive nutritious groceries. Community members can support this vital work through Gleaners Hunger Free Summer Plus campaign. This year, the Hunger Free Summer Plus campaign must meet an even greater need. Now through Sept. 7, all donations to the Hunger Free Summer Plus campaign will be matched. To learn more about Hunger Free Summer Plus, click here.
Coronavirus intensifies the stress of summer hunger for kids, but you can help
DETROIT School-age kids are missing out on many milestones due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including summer fun. And, with the launch of our Hunger Free Summer Plus campaign, we need to raise funds to provide millions of additional meals for children in need.Since 2011, the Hunger Free Summer campaign has provided vital financial support for Gleaners Summer Food Service Program. During so much uncertainty, the Hunger Free Summer campaign offers an opportunity for every individual to make a huge impact in the lives of their neighbors. Youre not just providing meals, you are giving hope.From now through Sept. 7, all donations to the Hunger Free Summer Plus campaign will be matched. To learn more about Hunger Free Summer Plus, click here.
Gleaners to begin hunger-free summer program
DETROIT Gleaners Community Food Bank announced Tuesday the launch of its Summer Food Service Program, with summer meal sites beginning July 1. The program will complement Gleaners food distribution programs through its more than 500-member partner network, emergency food distribution sites and emergency food box delivery programs to meet increased community need through the COVID-19 crisis. Children have been without access to school meals since mid-March, and without dedicated summer food programs, many kids in our community would spend the summer wondering where their next meal will come from. Gleaners is dedicated to being a stabilizing resource for our kids.This years Summer Food Service Program will use multiple distribution models to meet the needs of children or special needs adults aged 19-26 across southeast Michigan. Meal sites: These 21 sites will be offered in two formats: providing take-home or onsite nutritionally-balanced, pre-prepared breakfasts and/or lunches.
For kids, a successful school year starts with food
Four students from Siersma Elementary School showcase food available through Gleaners Community Food Bank's School Food Mobile launched at their school in March 2019 as part of the Best Food Forward initiative. To help more students get a successful start to school this fall, Gleaners Community Food Bank launched its Hunger Free Summer campaign in June. Gleaners Community Food Bank Gleaners Community Food Bank, leadership from Warren Consolidated Schools and Siersma Elementary School students celebrate the launch of the School Food Mobile in March 2019, a component of the Best Food Forward initiative. The first of its kind in the country, Best Food Forward takes a holistic approach to achieve food security for every child within a school district at school, at home and in the community. And that's why it was so compelling for us to get involved in Best Food Forward."
Learning Loss: How summer can leave kids behind in school
Gleaners Community Food BankDETROIT - Kids struggling with summer hunger return to school in the fall lagging behind their peers, and summer learning loss that happens during children's elementary school years can have long-lasting negative effects well into their future. A study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that summer learning loss during elementary school accounts for two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading between low-income children and their middle-income peers by ninth grade. Research from No Kid Hungry, the National Summer Learning Association and the United States Department of Education shows "summer learning loss" especially affects low-income children who may already be struggling with hunger and success at school. "Getting kids the food they need in the summer reduces 'summer slide' and keeps kids healthy and ready to continue learning when school is back in session," said Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners. They come in hungry," said Arika Charleston-Shorter, director for Healthy Kidz Incorporated, a Gleaners Summer Food Service Program partner.
Why not every kid loves summer vacation
That's why our summer programs and Hunger Free Summer campaign are so critical. Through the Summer Food Service Program, thousands of children will have access to nutritious meals provided through more than 90 summer meal sites five days per week. Some will also serve meals on Saturdays, and nearly 70% of the summer meal sites will serve breakfast in addition to lunch. Since the launch of Hunger Free Summer in 2011, Gleaners has expanded the reach of its summer meal program, almost doubling the number of summer meal sites. In addition to the summer meal sites, Gleaners' School Food Mobile program will reach hungry children in high-need communities through nearly 90 monthly mobile pantries.