Although summer vacations are the most anticipated by millions of students, school closures also mean that children and adolescents from low-income families will be deprived of school lunches. For many, these meals mean not going hungry for the rest of the day.
And recent report of the City Harvest organization, which helps feed nearly 1.2 million New Yorkers each year through donated food, found that child hunger rates in New York City remain much higher than before the COVID pandemic despite as the economy begins to recover.
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, about 55% more New York children are now hungry, and one in four children “doesn’t know where their next meal will come from,” according to the report.
The problem will get worse during the upcoming summer break when many low-income children won’t have access to the free school meals they depend on.
The focused nonprofit’s pantries and kitchens served an estimated 339,000 children in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit the Big Apple. In May 2021, that number doubled to approximately 778,000 children, according to the report. Meanwhile, late last year and early this year, City Harvest outposts were still serving around 525,000 children each month, a 55% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
Throughout the year, 7,694,000 children frequented City Harvest kitchens and pantries in 2021, a 96% increase from 2019, when the organization’s sites served 3,919,000 children.
Overall, food insecurity among children increased by 46% in New York City during the pandemic, the report said, citing data from an analysis by Feeding America.
FIND FREE FOOD THIS SUMMER IN YOUR REGION
To ensure that children who rely on free or reduced-price school lunches can get the nutrition they need, USDA is working with states to continue providing meals to students.
Rules generally require children to meet and eat on site. However, due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency and the need for social distancing, USDA was able to make temporary changes so that meals can be taken home and parents or guardians can choose meals for their children if the state allows it.
The families you can use this tool to find directions to nearby sites, as well as hours of operation and contact information.
IMPORTANT. Please note that the map is updated once the programs open for the season.
As of May 12, 2022, 23 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have provided information for the interactive map.
Additionally, USDA’s National Hunger Hotline continues to be a helpful resource for people seeking food assistance.
You can contact the hotline, operated by Hunger Free America, Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10 pm at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1 -877-842-6273) for Spanish.
NEW YORK
The Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone under the age of 18. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks and food trucks will be open for service beginning June 28.
No registration, documentation, or identification is needed to receive a free breakfast or lunch. The city will provide additional information in the coming weeks.
DATES OF SERVICE
- From Tuesday, June 28 to Friday, September 2, 2022.
- There will be no service on Monday, July 4, 2022.
HOURS OF SERVICES AT THE DESIGNATED PUBLIC SCHOOLS
- Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
- Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 a.m.
HOW TO FIND LOCATIONS
- In www.schools.nyc.gov/summermealsavailable mid-June.
- Text NYC Food to 304-304 (standard text messaging rates may apply).
- Call 311.
Visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/summer-meals for updates.
NEW JERSEY
Healthy foods are available for free or at low cost to school-age children in some areas. To find out if your child’s school offers breakfast or lunch programs like this, call your local school district.
The New Jersey Summer Food Service Program ensures that children can get the nutritious meals they need. This is free and does not require any registration. Find a location here.
You can also call 211.
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