After School Meals Impact the Lives of Local Kids

Children face so much today, and knowing that some are doing it on empty stomachs can be unsettling. In Central Florida, one in five kids is experiencing hunger.

To combat childhood hunger, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida partners with local after-school programs to offer meals and snacks to fill the gap for students and their parents. One example is at Solider to Scholars in Orlando.

A Lifeline

During the pandemic, Central Florida experienced record numbers of people looking for food assistance. Thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida increased food distribution from 150,000 to 300,000 meals a day.

After schools and businesses reopened, and people started to return to work, food distribution waned, but not for long. In 2022, Central Florida families faced one challenge after another, with inflation and two hurricanes impacting residents. Too often, household budget shortfalls led to devastating choices like skipping meals to pay rent. Food distribution levels once again climbed to 300,000 meals a day.

Student helping students

One in five kids in Central Florida faces hunger. Without proper nutrition, kids face delayed growth and development. They may also act out in school, withdraw socially, and cannot reach their academic potential.

One way to combat childhood hunger is by meeting students and families where they are: at school. Through Second Harvest School Partnerships, students, parents, and guardians can conveniently access nutritious foods, snacks, fresh produce, and more. The effort complements existing free or reduced-price school meals by allowing students to bring food home for evenings and weekends.

Holiday Hope for Families

In just a few short weeks, students will head home for an extended holiday from school. They will leave behind the worries of homework and exams.

They will also leave behind their school-provided breakfast and lunch, making the need for food even more urgent during the holiday season.