This post is brought to you by the San Antonio Food Bank
Ensuring No Child Goes Hungry This Summer: A Call For Community Support from Emily De Maria, Chief Programs Officer at the San Antonio Food Bank
As the mother of three boys, I’ve come to understand just how much kids can eat, as well as the important role nutrition plays in my children’s health — especially during the summer months when school is out. For years, the San Antonio Food Bank’s efforts to nourish children and families intensify during the summer with our Summer Meals for Kids campaign, a vital lifeline for families where we partner to provide no-cost meals, snacks, and groceries to children in need throughout our region over the summer break.
With over 200,000 students in our area living in lower-income households, and one in five children experiencing food insecurity, summer can be an especially challenging time for families who rely on the free or reduced cost breakfasts and lunches provided at school. During the school year, most children consume as much as half of their daily calories at school. Once summer comes, food costs increase by over $400 per child. This summer meal gap is where our summer meals programming steps in, offering support to families and children when they need it most.
As the Chief Programs Officer at the San Antonio Food Bank, I oversee our children’s nutrition and health programs, and I can attest to the incredible impact this campaign has on the lives of local families. Through our network of over 150 summer meal sites across our region, children 18 and under can access kid-tested, kid-approved breakfasts, lunches, and snacks at no cost. These summer meal sites not only provide nutrient-rich, balanced food, but also give parents the peace of mind to know that their children’s minds are also being nourished by the fun and educational activities hosted at these sites throughout the summer.
I’ve been involved in summer meal programming for over a decade and have spent a lot of time at these sites talking with families, interacting with kids, and building a rich understanding of all it takes for families to make ends meet each summer. Our meal sites provide a real lifeline; with consistent, quality meals that families can count on. We’re also able to provide additional support to families through access to food distributions, benefits assistance, nutrition education and workforce development.
GET HELP
For families seeking support with summer meals for their children, please know that you are not alone. We see you and we understand how challenging the summer months can be. Our culinary team and dedicated chefs strive to create meals that not only nourish kids, but also provide the opportunity to try new menu items. We value feedback from the kids and take ‘kid-tested, kid-approved’ very seriously!
I encourage you to visit safoodbank.org/summermeals/getmeals/ to learn how you can access any one of our summer meals sites to receive the assistance your family needs. Additionally, you can contact our Neighbor Services department at 210.431.8326 for assistance in applying for benefits and to help locate a food distribution event near you. Please know that your dignity and privacy are respected, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
GIVE HELP
We believe in the power of community and recognize that both getting help and giving help are essential components of our efforts to fight hunger across Southwest Texas.
For those with the opportunity to give right now, here are some of the meaningful ways you can help to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer. You can:
- Donate Money: Every $1 provides 7 meals for children
- Donate Time: We have volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities
- Donate Food: Start a food drive or build a Summer Snacks for Kids Kit
- Donate Voice: Share our campaign with your network to increase awareness
Your contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in our community. Support our efforts by visiting safoodbank.org/summermeals/givemeals.
This May my twins graduated from high school. As they prepare throughout the summer to go off to college, I’ve thought a lot about all it took to get to them here. Over the years, they have benefitted from so many programs and supportive services, including summer meal programs that have allowed them to thrive during their summer break and return to school each year nourished and ready to learn. With your help we can make that happen for all kids in our community. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, helping them Eat Great, Play Great this summer.
Emily De Maria is a nonprofit leader with 25 years of experience in developing and implementing programs that address diverse community needs. As Chief Programs Officer at the San Antonio Food Bank, she oversees initiatives serving over 100,000 people weekly across Southwest Texas. Emily is dedicated to creating strategic partnerships and innovative solutions for social issues, serving on multiple boards and commissions. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in economics and government from the University of Texas at Austin. She and her husband Mark have three sons.
