4 days ago
With schools out, childhood hunger increases
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – With students starting to get out of school for the summer, hunger will start to rise.
Food banks across the area start to see an increase in families needing help when the school year ends.
Some children rely on the school breakfast and lunch, and over the summer they may miss a meal. The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia says it starts working in January to fill the gap they start to see in the warmer months.
The Foodbank says one in four children in the area will be hungry during the summer months. Adding it has seen a 30% increase since COVID and longer lines as new families show up each time.
'When you see a reduction in those federal benefits, the gap still needs to be filled by somebody. And our neighbors are going to look at us. As you know, the, you know, preeminent organization in the area of tackling food insecurity. So we're definitely hearing and seeing an increase in people that have never had to come to the foodbank before are now showing up for the first time ever,' said Jeremy Rodden, Community Engagement Manager.
Hunger Heroes aims to help feed families during the busy summer months
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia has programs throughout the summer, like Hunger Heroes, that is created to combat summer hunger.
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