-Nelson Mandela
Back to school is an important time for young people and families alike. Education offers each of us the opportunity to reach our fullest potential and to become contributing members of our communities.
While many students may feel sad bidding farewell to the freedom from routine they enjoyed during the summer months, other students and their families welcome this time because they know that food, which may have been in short supply during the summer, will be available at school through breakfast and lunch programs.
More than 60,000 children living in Care and Share Food Bank’s service area are food insecure. Their families lack enough resources to provide adequate food on a regular basis. In El Paso County, 1 in 5 young people are at risk of hunger at any given time. 1 in 4 children in Costilla County are uncertain about where they might get their next meal.
By focusing on Within Reach, our five year plan to provide access to food for all in need throughout Southern Colorado, we are committed to ensuring that children and their families have the food they need to thrive. Through our Children’s Nutrition Initiative, we are providing food to children after school, on the weekends, and throughout the summer. Last year, more than 24,000 Send Hunger Packing packs helped provide nutritious food for weekend meals during the school year. More than 126,000 meals and snacks were served to young people during afternoons and evenings through the Healthy Kids Club. And nearly 57,000 meals and snacks were provided through the Summer Food Service Program.
We know that children need food to grow , learn, and achieve. We also know that well fed communities are more stable and better for us all. We are grateful to our partners and volunteers who help us reach children with these vital programs. With your support, providing access to food for all of our community’s young people is truly within our reach. Thanks for reading!
