For the thousands of children who rely on their school’s breakfast and lunch for their meals, summer is no vacation from hunger.
Families who rely on free and reduced-priced lunches during the school year struggle with providing meals for their children during the summer.
Some parents are able to rely on summer camp to help close the summer meal gap, but with camps closed or operating at reduced capacity this summer because of COVID-19, many parents don’t have anywhere else to turn.
According to Feeding America, food insecurity is projected to increase 81% for children in Massachusetts as a result of the crisis – the second-highest percentage change in children at risk of food insecurity in the country behind only North Dakota (96%).
Unfortunately, this projection confirms what we’ve seen across our network. Recently, our partner agencies have reported seeing a more than 130% increase in the number of children served.
Hungry kids across Eastern Massachusetts need even more help this summer, which is why GBFB continues to distribute nutritious food to families in need throughout the summer across our network of partner hunger-relief agencies and direct distribution sites like our free mobile markets, new partnerships, and nine School-based Pantries – the most we’ve ever run during the summer.
But, we can’t do it without you.
With your support today, thousands of children and families can enjoy summer knowing they can count on the nutritious food provided by GBFB – and you.