by Joyce Mills
For many kids in West Virginia, the end of the school year marks the beginning of lazy days by the pool, staying up late or vacations with family. For others, it means less access to nutritious meals. Luckily, many of those children will have such meals available to them in their own communities this summer.
This makes those of us who work with the backpack program very happy because 19 kids who were given backpacks each week can have hot meals during this summer. Actually, Beckley Elementary is listed as a ‘feeding station’.
Summer food programs across the country, including West Virginia, offer U.S. Department of Agriculture approved meals to any child who wants or needs one, regardless of economic background.
Both the backpack initiative and summer food programs are essential for some families. Many of West Virginia’s kids live in poverty, and healthful nutritious food is scarce. Many parents may not have healthy nutrition knowledge themselves. Their children may depend on a healthy school provided breakfast and lunch to satisfy their appetites, but these aren’t available on weekends or school breaks. For a complete list of feeding sites, including days and times the program will operate, visit The Department of Education website.
For July and August continue to bring in your extra large tote bags and cans of pasta with meat. We continue to appreciate your gifts-both cans of food and money. Just place the cans of pasta with meat on the back counter in the church kitchen.