#USA #Washington, D.C. #No Kid Hungry #Ayesha Curry #Summer EBT

Ayesha Curry and Team Combat Summer Hunger

Summer is often a time of joy for children, marking vacations, outdoor fun, and the freedom from day-to-day school routines. However, for many families, the absence of school meals makes this season a challenging time, affecting children’s nourishment and well-being. To combat this pressing issue, No Kid Hungry—a nationwide effort aimed at eradicating childhood hunger—has forged a collaboration with prominent figures, including Ayesha Curry, Lorena Garcia, Dayanara Torres, and Eugenio Derbez, to raise awareness about the available resources to help feed children during the summer months.

The Initiative’s Goals

No Kid Hungry’s mission is urgent and necessary, aiming to assist the 31 million children who benefit from school lunch programs during the academic year by providing them with meals over the summer. This initiative has garnered the attention of influencers committed to engaging their audiences in crucial discussions about hunger.

Ayesha Curry, co-founder of the nonprofit Eat. Learn. Play, emphasized the importance of ensuring children have access to three nutritious meals per day: “When kids have access to nutrition, they can dream big and thrive.” Such access can empower youngsters to aim for a bright future, transforming their summer experiences.

Chef Lorena Garcia echoed these sentiments, asserting that “Food is more than nourishment; it is a source of joy.” Her commitment illustrates that every meal holds significance, particularly for kids who rely on consistent and healthy food sources during summer.

Legislative Changes and Community Efforts

In response to the growing need, legislation implemented in 2022 has made it easier for rural communities, which often face transportation challenges, to deliver meals directly to children through delivery or pick-up services. Additionally, an innovative grocery benefits program—Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer)—is now available, which provides eligible families with an extra $120 per school-aged child to help with grocery costs. This year, 37 states and 5 territories are participating in the Summer EBT program, making a significant impact on families’ ability to provide adequate food supplies.

Before these initiatives were launched, data revealed that merely 2.8 million kids were accessing summer meals. However, in a monumental shift, preliminary data from 2024 indicates that Summer EBT managed to reach over 18 million children. No Kid Hungry aims to extend this program’s reach to all 50 states, significantly aiding in fighting childhood hunger.

Corporate Collaborations

No Kid Hungry is not alone in this endeavor; the initiative has partnered with various corporate sponsors like Arby’s Foundation, Dollar Tree, and HelloFresh. These alliances are critical in ensuring children have access to the nutritious meals they need not just in the summer but year-round, emphasizing a collective responsibility from community organizations and corporate entities to support the youth of America.

How to Get Involved

Parents and guardians seeking assistance can visit NoKidHungry.org/Help or NoKidHungry.org/Ayuda for detailed information on accessing summer resources and meal programs. The message is clear: support for No Kid Hungry translates into actionable initiatives that can significantly change lives in communities across the nation.

No child should go hungry in America, and with continued awareness and collaboration, we can pave the way toward eliminating childhood hunger once and for all. As the campaign continues to expand, the community’s involvement remains vital to ensuring that children enjoy their summers filled with joy, laughter, and enough wholesome food to eat.