Latest news with #DaytonFoodbank
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer meal programs under strain amid increased need, funding cuts
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — It's summertime for students across the Miami Valley, but for some families, this means having less access to consistent, daily meals. Local free summer meal programs say they are doing their best to provide, but this year programs are facing higher demand and less supply, with more families in need and fewer resources due to federal budget cuts. 'We are at capacity this year. This is probably the first time we've been at capacity this early in the summer,' said Kim Jarvis, On Purpose Academy Mentoring Center executive director. Dayton Foodbank debuts new food van for expanded deliveries Jarvis says their free student meal program filled up just days into the summer season. In the six years since the program was created, this is the fastest it's ever happened — something Jarvis says is a sign of increased food insecurity locally. 'That lets us know that families are in need, families are looking for resources,' said Jarvis. According to the Dayton Foodbank, there are more families relying on free meals for students — a program that is generally provided through agencies that work with food distribution centers. But this year, that funding has been greatly reduced after the Summer Feeding Program was cut, resulting in the discontinuation of hundreds of health meals that went directly to local schools. Partners of The Foodbank, like the Dayton Christian Center, say they are increasingly relying on other sources for donations beyond The Foodbank to maintain their current summer meal program. RTA unveils new bus honoring veterans Program leaders agree it's a priority to provide meals for kids during this crucial time. 'We do our best to make sure that we support our children no matter what, especially in the summertime, because we know a lot of the children who are in school may not have the same resources that they do through the school season,' said Yvonne Watkins, Dayton Christian Center executive director. Families in need of summer food assistance are encouraged to reach out to their local school district for direct resources in the area. The Foodbank also says it is still open for any families who need help finding a free food pantry near them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dayton Foodbank debuts new food van for expanded deliveries
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Dayton Foodbank is continuing efforts to tackle food insecurity throughout the Miami Valley. Today saw the local nonprofit debut a new food van, which is possible thanks to the AES Ohio Foundation. The van will ultimately deliver food to those who need it, offering an additional avenue to help those in the community. This is the second such van to arrive on behalf of the foodbank. Lee Lauren Truesdale, chief development officer at the foodbank says that the van will serve to combat a concerning trend. 'Across Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, which is the tri county service territory that the food bank does serve, we are seeing about 114,000 people who are reporting food insecurity,' Truesdale says. 'That number is up from prior years.' Food insecurity increasing in local counties: report The mission of the Dayton Foodbank is one that the AES Ohio Foundation takes seriously as well, having bolstered the organization since 2004. 'We've supported two vans. one of our employee resource groups, the women of AES, are here today. They will be volunteering in the warehouse and also in the gardens,' said Vivian O'Connell, AES Ohio Impact Leader. Truesdale adds that food insecurity has become even more complex after the Memorial Day tornados and the COVID-19 Pandemic. 'It really changed the game for us, and really many other nonprofits in the area thinking about how we address the needs of our community, making resources accessible, making sure that resources are meeting the community's unique needs as well. This van is a real critical part of that work.' With the van, the foodbank is aiming to increase their total meals served from last year — approximately 15 million meals between three counties. 'Having this van allows us to go into other areas. So, if you think about maybe small communities or you think about neighborhoods where it's challenging to fit one of our large box trucks to make a delivery to a food pantry, to reach, outreach, directly to a client.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
