Despite receiving year-round food assistance, buying groceries in bulk, and even taking free classes on couponing, Zoe and her family of four children always seem to be running low on food. For this reason, Zoe depends on the school breakfast and lunch programs that help feed her three elementary aged children.
"When school is in session, I don't have to worry about my kids going hungry because I'm fortunate enough for my kids to eat breakfast and lunch at school," she said. But when summer comes around and school is out, Zoe finds herself struggling to provide enough food for her kids to eat. "Those months are hard," she said. "Especially when you have more than one child depending on you to put food in front of them, and you're not even sure if you'll have enough."
With parents like Zoe in mind, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana provides free meals to children enrolled in Summer Clubs and Programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, churches and libraries. Throughout the summer months, the Food Bank will provide more than 50,000 meals for children in need.
"These are healthy, nutritious meals," said Marleah Walker, the Food Bank's Agency Relations and Program Director. "The meals follow U.S.D.A. guidelines and are made up of well-balanced, nutritious foods, including fruit and vegetables. This summer, Zoe found some peace of mind when her children visited a nearby church and were given meals that included fruit, vegetables, and milk. The children will be able to return to the church all summer long, and Zoe is relieved to know they are getting nutritious food to eat.
"Fruit is so expensive," Zoe said. "But it's important for the kids to have it. As a parent, it feels good to know my family is eating healthy food."
Click here to read the rest of the summer 2017 Newsletter!
"When school is in session, I don't have to worry about my kids going hungry because I'm fortunate enough for my kids to eat breakfast and lunch at school," she said. But when summer comes around and school is out, Zoe finds herself struggling to provide enough food for her kids to eat. "Those months are hard," she said. "Especially when you have more than one child depending on you to put food in front of them, and you're not even sure if you'll have enough."
With parents like Zoe in mind, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana provides free meals to children enrolled in Summer Clubs and Programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, churches and libraries. Throughout the summer months, the Food Bank will provide more than 50,000 meals for children in need.
"These are healthy, nutritious meals," said Marleah Walker, the Food Bank's Agency Relations and Program Director. "The meals follow U.S.D.A. guidelines and are made up of well-balanced, nutritious foods, including fruit and vegetables. This summer, Zoe found some peace of mind when her children visited a nearby church and were given meals that included fruit, vegetables, and milk. The children will be able to return to the church all summer long, and Zoe is relieved to know they are getting nutritious food to eat.
"Fruit is so expensive," Zoe said. "But it's important for the kids to have it. As a parent, it feels good to know my family is eating healthy food."
Click here to read the rest of the summer 2017 Newsletter!
RSS Feed
