Hunger Knows No Season

Many people believe winter is the season when hunger hurts our community most, but this summer, GBFB is busier than ever. In years past, we saw a slight decrease in requests for food assistance during the summer months, but the slow economy means that more of our neighbors in Eastern Massachusetts are seeking food assistance to feed themselves and their families this season. GBFB is responding quickly to serve the most vulnerable in our community, especially children. Kids who depend on school-provided meals to avoid hunger are at greatest risk. Summer vacation is a happy time for most children, but school is where hundreds of thousands of children get the food they need to stay active and healthy. When school is out, those with the greatest need face hunger. To address this issue, our Kids Cafes serve morning and mid-day meals instead of after-school meals all summer. Kids Cafe meals are planned by GBFB registered dietitians to ensure they are the healthiest possible for children. Fresh, seasonal produce is always incorporated into the menus. Struggling families also have to spend more of their limited resources for groceries during the summer to help make up for the school meals their children aren’t receiving. To help, GBFB is expanding our School-based Mobile Market to the Condon Elementary School in South Boston, where 100% of students qualify for free or reducedprice school meals. At the market, each family will receive approximately 35 pounds of nutritious food, including seven pounds of beef, pork or poultry and more than ten pounds of fresh produce per month. “Schools are becoming a critical resource for many low-income parents – a place where they can find help to make sure their kids have enough to eat,” noted Joyce MacDonald, GBFB Manager of Programs. “Our school-based distributions operate like markets. This makes it easier for parents to choose the healthy foods children need most.” Click here if you would like to make a donation to support the Kids Cafe program.