The season of sunshine is upon us, and school is out for summer break. For many kids, this is the happiest time of the year, but for others, it’s the hungriest. Throughout the school year, many children in Monmouth & Ocean Counties rely on school lunches and after-school meal programs for food. When the school year ends, so does their access to nutritious food. Unfortunately, that’s not the only challenge local families’ face this time of year. It’s also common for working parents to experience a spike in utility bills and child care expenses, as their children spend more time at home. Limited access to proper meals and financial vulnerability causes many children and their families to struggle with summer hunger in our community.
Each summer, Fulfill steps in to help fill the summer meal gap in-between school years. With the help of our donors, partners, and supporters, we are able to provide free breakfast and lunch daily to kids 18 years or younger attending local camps and other recreational programs. Last year, we served over 55,000 meals to well-deserved kids throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Through this program, we aim to ensure children in need receive nutritious meals in a safe and organized environment while school is out.
Summer hunger is real in Monmouth & Ocean Counties, and many kids spend their “vacation” worrying where their next meal will come from. By supporting Fulfill and the Summer Meals Program, you can help fight hunger and free kids of grown-up worries.
Looking to get involved? You can support our Summer Meals Program by donating to help feed local children in your community.
If you have a child in need of breakfast or lunch this summer (or know someone who does), look for the feeding site nearest you.