Our Statement on USDA Elimination of Vital Hunger Data

More than 168,000 people under the age of 18 face hunger in our communities. 

This means one out of every five kids and teens across central and eastern North Carolina don't know where their next meal might come from. 

These challenges are even greater during the summer months when school meals and backpack programs are no longer available. Parents have to come up with an additional 10 meals each week per child — at a time when the cost of food remains out of reach for far too many families.

That's where our Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) comes in.

Since 2008, the Food Bank has partnered with local organizations to serve breakfast and lunch to young people facing food insecurity. These Kids Summer Meals sites are hosted at easily accessible locations during weeks when schools are closed. Together we provide healthy food options to local families — along with summer reading initiatives, activities, and outdoor recreation opportunities.