Stories

School supply lists have items like pencils, paper, glue, markers and notebooks – all the tools a child needs to be successful in school. But something important is missing. Students need food to perform their best in class.

Feed the Children recently launched a pilot program in Oklahoma City called Summer Feed and Read, in partnership with the Metropolitan Library System. We talked with Rondia Banks, a long-time librarian at one of the library system’s locations and learned about her passion for literacy and why food plays an important role in learning.

Hunger hits hard in Georgia. One in seven children in the state faces food insecurity. To make matters worse, many residents in low-income areas lack access to grocery stores and supermarkets.

There’s never been a question about Tamara Sandberg’s future. She knew early on that she’d work for a non-profit organization. And it would be one that focuses on hunger relief. “I just think it’s unacceptable that in one of the richest nations in the world that anybody would go to bed without the food they need. So, that’s been my passion.”

It’s only 7:00 am, but the YMCA gymnasium in Bethany, Oklahoma, is already buzzing with activity. “We know that, right here in Oklahoma County, it’s estimated that 37,000 children don’t always have enough access to the nutritious food they need to thrive and succeed,”

It’s a rainy day in Clarksville, Tennessee. Despite the cloud cover and raindrops, there’s excitement in the air. Today, military families will receive food, household essentials and much more.

With summer heating up, millions of children are struggling to find the fun in the season. Their families are stretching their budgets to the breaking point. With almost 30 million students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals at school, this summer could be catastrophic.

When we think of summer, we think of carefree days. For many students, that’s the case. But research shows that there’s a downside to that.