Rotary Club of Sarasota
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Food Insecurity is a significant factor in student absenteeismFor the first time in at least 50 years, a majority of U.S. public school students are from low-income families. 51% of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade were eligible for the federal program that provides FREE and REDUCED-PRICE lunches. This lunch program is a rough proxy for poverty but the explosion of needy children in the nation’s classrooms is a recent phenomenon that has been gaining attention among educators, public officials, and social researchers.Even in wealthy Sarasota County, 52% of children were eligible for FREE LUNCHES-an an indicator of food insecurity at home meaning that they don’t have consistent access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.Our Club in partnership with AAll Faiths Food Bank decided that we should help in alleviating this problem. In 2015 our Club/Foundation awarded AFFB a $60,000 five (5) year grant to place food pantries in all Title 1 schools in Sarasota County Schools We also committed to operating these pantries where needed. These school-based pantries are located on the school campus, making them a more readily accessible source of food assistance to families in need. They also try to be open at convenient school times so families can shop when arriving at school to pick up their children.So far, there are thirteen (13) school-based pantries in the program. Seven (7) of these are Title 1 schools. The top three (3) are Emma E Booker Elementary, Altavista Elementary School and Tuttle Elementary with Almost 95%, 92%, and 91% respectively of their students on FREE or REDUCED-PRICE lunches. The school district also provides FREE breakfasts to these schools.The Alta Vista Food Pantry was every other Thursday from 2:30pm-6pm excepting school breaks. We packed out food items for 60 families 2:30-3:30 and distribute from 3:30-6:00. During Holidays, we run Turkey Pantry, that operate like a regular Pantry, plus we would pack 125 Turkeys and Thanksgiving meal kits.#givingchallenge2024 #foodpantry #endinghunger #rotary #rotaryclubofsarasotafoundation #SarasotaCountySchools #allfaithsfoodbank #AltavistaSchool
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Anthony Swart
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Food Rescue Hero
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Main Street Ministries Houston
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Public News Service
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Across the globe, hunger is an enormous threat to children. To combat the problem, one rural school district in northwest New Mexico is bringing culturally-appropriate items to the school cafeteria menu.Zach Ben, founder of the Navajo Nation'sBidii Baby Foods, was a new dad during the pandemic when baby foods were in short supply at grocery stores. Ben has received funding from Save the Children US'sRural Child Hunger Research and Innovation Lab.He supplies his corn to schools in the Farmington school district where they are used to create breakfast and lunch meals familiar to indigenous children."They prefer meals that are a part of their heritage and culture and being able to incorporate those first foods back into our plates there in our children's cafeterias," Ben explained. "This is how the Innovation Lab is allowing us to bridge those gaps and prevent rural child hunger."Ben farms 40 acres along New Mexico's San Juan River and said he is working to scale up his operation and build capacity. In addition to Save the Children, the "New Mexico Grown" local food purchasing program supports the project. The Farmington school district is more than 35% Native American.Esther Liew, AM, food security projects adviser for Save the Children, said students have responded favorably when offered food choices containing ingredients common to their diet, such as blue corn meal or kneel-down bread."The fact that Bidii Baby Foods has been able to sell corn to make some of these foods, and they are on the school menu, just shows that schools are able to provide both nutritious and culturally-appropriate foods for the students," Liew emphasized.A sixth-generation farmer, Ben added he is now growing lots of corn varieties perhaps unfamiliar to the average American."What we would call Navajo Indian white corn, we have Oaxacan green corn, we have Navajo yellow corn and Santa Ana Pueblo blue corn," Ben outlined.Save the Children's lab was created to find inventive ways to reduce rural child hunger.#NavajoNation #NewMexico Disclosure: Save the Children contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Education, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,click here.
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First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA)
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Important Update for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)This week only, the Cloudland Elementary School site will distribute meals on Friday, 07/05, instead of Thursday, to accommodate the July 4th holiday.Additionally, please note a policy update: Now, only parents or guardians need to be present to pick up meals. This change does not extend to other family members outside of designated parents/guardians.Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! #SummerFoodService #FTHRA #CommunitySupport #HolidaySchedule #ImportantUpdate
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Idaho Department of Education
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Hunger Free America
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Hunger Solutions New York
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George Mason Food Security
Students at George Mason University
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Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Food Insecurity at George Mason UniversityDear LinkedIn Community,In the heart of George Mason University lies a silent struggle that demands our attention: food insecurity among students. As a vibrant institution committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic student well-being, it's crucial that we address this pressing issue head-on. The Patriot Pantry, a vital resource for students facing food insecurity, remains relatively unknown, while the rate of students grappling with hunger continues to rise.Key Message Strategies:1. Awareness: Our primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the prevalence of food insecurity on our campus. By raising awareness, we aim to break the stigma surrounding this issue and encourage open dialogue.2. Accessibility: The Patriot Pantry stands as a beacon of hope for students in need. Through this campaign, we strive to make the pantry more accessible and well-known to those who may benefit from its services.3. Community Support: We believe that addressing food insecurity is a collective responsibility. By rallying the support of our community, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.Call to Action:Join us in our mission to combat food insecurity at George Mason University. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow Patriots. Visit https://lnkd.in/eqZKQEj9 to learn more about the Patriot Pantry and discover how you can get involved.As members of the George Mason University community, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with our peers facing food insecurity. Let's work together to ensure that every student has access to the nourishment they need to thrive academically and personally.Sincerely,Mason Food Securityssac@gmu.edu
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