Summer Days...
As a child, summer always meant long carefree days full of fun and freedom. As I grew into adulthood and had children of my own, I wished for them the same joy that I had experienced.
I naively thought that most parents in my community had the same feelings about summer. But since coming to Second Harvest Food Bank nine months ago I now understand that for many families, summer is a time of increased hunger. I can only imagine the stress a parent goes through worrying about whether or not they have the resources to feed their child.
During the school year, 120,524 children from low-income families in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch through their school's nutrition program. This equates to one out of every five children in our community. For some children, these meals are the only guaranteed regular source of food. When school ends, so do these meals, forcing parents to stretch already tight budgets even further.
Because of this sad reality, Second Harvest Food Bank conducts a summer campaign, called Share Your Lunch. The goal of this campaign is to raise the food and funds needed to increase the amount of food distributed to programs that feed children. These include the Food Bank's Family Harvest and Kids NOW programs as well as our partner agency pantries, day camps, and youth shelters.
Without good nutrition throughout the summer, children may begin the school year physically and mentally behind their peers. They will be less prepared and less able to learn. Playing catch-up during the school year could have long-term effects on their future, because kids who struggle in school have a harder time achieving their full potential, including job readiness as adults.
Please help Second Harvest make a difference in the lives of these hungry kids. With a donation of just ten dollars, you can help us provide a nutritious meal to 20 children.
If you are a parent in need of additional food assistance during the summer, please visit our Get Food section or call 1-800-984-3663 to learn about the resources available for your family.