Hidden Hunger Gap: Supporting Children During School Breaks
Holidays and summer vacations are a time for joy, relaxation, and making memories with loved ones, but for many children, they also bring challenges of food insecurity. Without access to regular school meals, many families face a hunger gap during the holidays. According to the Food Research & Action Center, 29.9 million children received a school lunch on an average day during the 2021–2022 school year, revealing that a break from school highlights hunger as a harsh reality for many children.
For children who rely on school-provided meals, school holidays can be particularly challenging. This period creates what is known as the “hunger gap,” leaving families scrambling for resources to fill the void left by the absence of school breakfasts and lunches.
Through programs from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, such as weekend food bags and community partnerships, we are working tirelessly to close the hunger gap and ensure every child gets the nourishment they need.
Understanding the Hunger Gap
What is the hunger gap?
The hunger gap refers to periods when children who depend on free or reduced-price school meals face an increased risk of food insecurity. These gaps emerge all year long, including hunger gaps during the holidays, teacher workdays, inclement weather, and summer vacation.
When schools close, the burden of providing these additional meals often stretches already limited budgets, leaving families with difficult decisions about how to make ends meet.
Schools and daycare programs serve meals through programs like the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program to not only address immediate nutritional needs but also support children’s long-term health, academic performance, and emotional well-being.
For organizations like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, school breaks are a critical time when we step up to fill the gap and ensure children have access to the meals they need.
How the Foodbank Supports Families During Breaks
With over 24 million pounds of food distributed last year alone, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is committed to addressing food insecurity through several programs and efforts through these key initiatives.
BackPack Program
One effort to close the hunger gap is our BackPack Program, which provides weekend food bags for students with nutritious meals to enjoy when school-provided food is unavailable.
Packed with kid-friendly options like canned fruits, vegetables, whole-grain snacks, and proteins, these weekend food bags for students are a simple yet powerful way to ensure no child goes to bed hungry, even on weekends or during school breaks. Supported by Feeding America, each bag is designed to meet children’s dietary needs, supporting their growth and development.
Kids Cafe
Through partnerships with local food pantries, the nationally recognized Kids Cafe program offers a safe and nurturing environment where children in need can access nutritious meals and snacks during after-school hours and school breaks. Kids Cafe also provides valuable educational and recreational activities, empowering young minds to thrive academically and socially.
Summer Food Service Program
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore participates annually in the Summer Food Service Program. This program provides free meals to all children, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school meals are not available, helping to combat hunger and promote their overall well-being.
How You Can Help
Every contribution, no matter how small, has the potential to transform lives. Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference for children and families in need.
Donate Food
Consider adding a few additional items to your next grocery list and learn how to donate food online. Organize a food drive at your workplace, church, or at home and urge your friends and neighbors to make a food drive donation.
Non-perishable items are always in high demand. Our most-needed items include canned proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole-grain pasta, and rice.
Donate Money
Did you know that just $1 provides two meals? By choosing to donate money for food you’re helping the Foodbank purchase fresh produce and bulk items.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is a meaningful way to give back and see the impact of your efforts. Join the Foodbank’s network of over 6,000 volunteers to help pack food bags, sort donations, or assist with food distributions.
Amplify Our Message
Help amplify the voices of our food-insecure neighbors by spreading awareness and encouraging others to support the Foodbank’s mission. Follow the Foodbank (@FoodbankSEVA) on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok!