Blue Ridge Area Food Bank bringing food to kids during summer break

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read
A student dings a bell to celebrate that he picked fruit as part of his lunch at Bessie Weller Elementary School on Dec. 4, 2019.
A student dings a bell to celebrate that he picked fruit as part of his lunch at Bessie Weller Elementary School on Dec. 4, 2019.

VERONA – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is participating in the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, sponsoring six locations starting in late May, helping ensure that children, across the region, have access to nutritious food to fuel their learning, play and growth.

One in 12 children in the Food Bank service area are food insecure, according to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The Summer Food Service Program is designed to reach children who may not get nutritious meals at home over the school’s summer break. Students receiving free or reduced-price meals at school are at particular risk.

The Food Bank provides wholesome breakfast items, vegetables, fruit, dishes with protein from meat and other sources, even fun snacks to organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, summer school programs, churches and recreation programs that serve children at risk of being food insecure.

This is provided free for all children to help them thrive and stay on track for healthy development.

More: Infant formula shortage: Virginia Department of Health offers guidance

Summer Food Service Program sites

Staunton

  • Contact: Scott Morris, smorris@bgcwsa.org

  • May 31–Aug. 4, Monday through Friday

Waynesboro

  • Contact: Scott Morris, smorris@bgcwsa.org

  • May 31–Aug. 4, Monday through Friday

Harrisonburg

  • Contact: Sara Wilfong, svcdcowner@gmail.com

  • June 10–Aug. 26, Monday through Friday

  • Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Harrisonburg

  • Contact: Shamika Hayes, shayes@bgchr.org

  • June 21–Aug. 13, Monday through Friday

  • Breakfast: 8:30-9:30 a.m.; lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Charlottesville

  • Contact: Bruce Boling, bruce@charlottesvilleabundantlife.org

  • June 20–July 28, Monday through Thursday

  • Breakfast: 8-8:30 a.m.; lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.

Lynchburg

  • Contact: Dr. Brenda Farmer, churchesforurbanministry@gmail.com

  • June 27–July 27, Monday through Friday

  • Breakfast: 9:30-10 a.m.; lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.

The Food Bank will serve approximately 300 children through the summer program, across its 25-county service area this summer. For more details, visit the Food Bank’s website at brafb.org/summerfoodserviceprogram.

Families who need food assistance can access the Food Bank’s “Food Finder” tool to locate local food pantries. Go to brafb.org/FoodFinder.

Headquartered in Verona, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank serves 25 counties and eight cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Verona, and Winchester.

More: Project GROWS debuts Project MOBILE, a farmer's market on wheels

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— Monique Calello (she/her) is a health & social justice reporter with The News Leader in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Story ideas are always welcome. You can reach her at  mcalello@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @moniquecalello. 

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank bringing food to kids during summer break