Summer feeding programs help reduce child hunger, keep Central Texas students healthy ahead of next academic year

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - For many children the cafeteria is a place to relax and refuel as they prepare to learn in class during the school year, and now that summer is here, Central Texas school districts have set up feeding locations to make sure their students stay healthy ahead of the new school year.

Through initiatives like the summer food service program and the seamless summer option, districts can apply for reimbursements from the government to cover the costs of student meals during the summer.

The programs benefit parents like Brandy Moody, who takes her son the Temple Public Library’s feeding location nearly every day during the summer. She says a free meal for her son while she’s working can really help her budget.

“Groceries are expensive! You go to Walmart and you get 10 items, and it costs you like $70 to $80,” Moody said about why she is taking advantage of Temple ISD’s library location during the summer.

School districts like Waco ISD and Temple ISD are able to provide free breakfast and lunch during the school year and in the summer offer site locations where any kid under 18 can receive a nutritious meal.

Temple ISD’s School Nutrition Director, Ian Vestal, says that their school district uses the Summer Food Service program to receive funding for money spent feeding any child in central Texas.

“You have a population that is dependent on breakfast and lunch during the school year, the state says we’d like you to offer summer lunches and breakfast to actually continue that service to the children that need that during the summer months,” Vestal explains.

School districts first have to apply to have feeding locations during the summer through the Texas Department of Agriculture, which administers the programs for the state.

Assistant Commissioner of Texas Department of Agriculture, Lena Wilson, says that districts can qualify for aid based on how many families in their area are economically disadvantaged.

“They go through their application and say they want to operate they tell us how many kids they want to feed where they are going to feed, and then we have an approval process,” Wilson explains.

When choosing feeding locations, Temple ISD’s Assistant School Nutrition Director Kancy DeGrate explains how school districts often choose places that are community friendly and can be accessed easily.

“Any place that has a good program going on that’s going to get community involvement and already have the kids there, then it’s an added benefit that they can grab breakfast and lunch,” DeGrate said.

Temple ISD parent Katie Ballard takes her son Adam to the public library often, and says the multiple locations that the district provides are easy to get to quickly.

“Any of the locations honestly are helpful if you are in or around town, running errands and then you have to feed your child lunch, because whatever area of town you’re in you can plot which feeding site to go to,” Ballard said.

School districts aim to accommodate the need in their community, even when things do not go as planned.

In the wake of the tornado that tore through Temple on May 22nd, the nutrition team at Temple ISD says they were prepared to make more room and food for families

“I was definitely concerned that we were going to have a high increase in participation because people had lost power finances have to go to other places fixing vehicles replacing things” DeGrate recalls.

But whatever the situation is, nutrition teams in central Texas are serving their kids and communities, as Waco ISD’s Executive Chef, Julia Pennington, says that the aim of these programs is to make sure that kids are staying healthy over the summer and are ready for the next academic year.

“You know that you’re still helping the students and they are getting the nourishment that they need to be successful in school” Pennington said.

For more information on Summer Feeding Programs, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture’s website.

CLICK HERE for an interactive map that helps you find summer feeding locations near you.

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