CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Education is continuing its efforts to feed hungry children during the summer months.
The WVDE partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to provide meals for West Virginia youth aged 18 and younger while school is out. The partnership is called the Summer Food Service Program, and an estimated 375 sites are set to address food insecurity that many children face.
WVDE Child Nutrition Coordinator Samantha Reeves was a guest last week on MetroNews “Midday.” She said the program encompasses meals at all times of day, depending on the site and sponsoring organization.
Reeves said parents and children interested in learning more can find that information online.
“They can look at the USDA website, that’s our site-finder website, to see what sites have been approved for operation this summer,” she said.
There’s a tremendous need to feed hungry students in West Virginia, Reeves noted.
“We have 85% of our public-school children qualify for (free lunches),” Reeves said. “That shows you how important these programs are.”
The WVDE said many students in the state receive free lunches through the Community Eligibility Program (CEP). This is made possible through many counties enrolling in the program. Around 51 percent of public-school students are eligible for free and reduced priced meals at school, according to the WVDE.
State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt echoed Reeves, saying the summer feeding sites are extremely important,
“Hunger does not take a break during summer, and our children may experience more challenges because school nutrition programs are not available,” Blatt said in a release. “We want to push this information out so that those who need these resources can be assured that there are meals available for their children.”
“Our public schools and community partners understand the critical needs that exist in our state to feed our children,” Blatt continued. “Families seeking relief know that children have access to this important resource, and meals will be readily available. This reassurance is important now more than ever.”
Reeves said there’s a streamlined process for sponsors to get involved.
“We can take on nonprofits, 501(c)(3)s, we could have churches, we could have libraries, so a different abundance of sponsors that could operate the program,” Reeves said. “They have to be vetted by us, and then we work with them to train them. Once they’re a sponsor, we bring on their sites, their operating sites that they will provide meals at throughout the summer.”
This work is all about filling in the gaps, Reeves said. She said it’s all about removing worry from the minds of food-insecure kids and their families.
Learn more at the WVDE website.