Meet Loren. Like all children he looks forward to long, summer days without the pressures of school. But without school, he loses access to the breakfast and lunch program he relies on for two meals a day.

It is long recognized and documented that low-income families depend on the free and reduced price meal program for their school-aged children’s breakfast and lunch during the academic year.  During summer break, providing two extra meals a day can create a significant financial burden for some families.  VEAP’s Summer Youth Food Program helps alleviate some of the financial stress associated with providing these extra meals.

VEAP’s Summer Youth Food Program provides supplemental food over the summer months when children are not receiving free and reduced price breakfast and lunch at school. Lisa Horn, CEO explains “We know many parents are working hard to provide for their children but with the majority of VEAP clients living on a monthly income of $1,600 or less, just paying the rent can take nearly 70% of their monthly income leaving little for food and other basic needs.”

From June through August, VEAP families with school-aged children will be able to visit the food pantry one additional time per month. This will give them access to healthy, nutritious, shelf-stable items as well as meat, dairy, eggs and an abundance of fresh fruits and produce.

For more information on how to register for VEAP’s 2017 Summer Youth Food Program or how you can make a donation and have a local impact on childhood hunger, call 952.888.9616.