Hunger Doesn’t Stop When Children Go Back to School
But OFS Has Kids Covered, All Year Round
As summer winds down and kids go back to school, hunger doesn’t disappear. For thousands of local families, the struggle to put food on the table continues—even when school meals are available. That’s why Operation Food Search shifts from providing summer meals to two targeted strategies designed to support children and families during the school year: Afterschool Meals and Operation Backpack.
The complementary programs fill different needs for kids facing food insecurity: Afterschool Meals addresses hunger during the week, providing a nutritious “super snack” to help kids stay energized for homework or play—and in case they don’t get a full dinner. Children 18 and under can access the meals at libraries and other community sites, at no charge and with no questions asked.
Operation Backpack meets the need for nutrition over the weekend, providing a sack of four kid-friendly meals to take home from school. These sacks are discreetly handed out by school staff and teachers who are better able to identify those in need. 87% of school personnel report having seen a positive impact on the families of students who participate in Operation Backpack.
Along with our Summer Meals program, these efforts are designed to fight hunger year-round, during the periods kids cannot access school meals. “With food insecurity increasing, the need for these programs is greater than ever. In some areas we serve, as many as one in five children can go to bed hungry,” says OFS Chief Program Officer Melissa Weissler.
OFS served 55,464 summer meals this year, and the number of after-school meals is expected to be similar. Operation Backpack has an even greater reach, with nearly 689,000 meals provided last year. These numbers demonstrate both the scale of food insecurity in the bi-state region and the crucial support that comes with a caring community.
“As federal nutrition assistance programs are cut, the food we provide is more needed than ever,” says Weissler. “But with the help of our partners, donors, and supporters, we’re able to nourish kids and support their healthy growth and development. When they thrive, we all benefit.”
Learn more here about our Child Nutrition Programs—and how you can help ensure no child goes hungry.