Where other programs fall short, local groups keep kids fed
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Georgia and South Carolina, along with 12 other states turned down federal grant money for low-income families with children in school.
Summer feeding programs started Monday, and that leaves the responsibility of feeding kids to many organizations like the Serenity Charity Club.
The group is hosting a Summer Break Café.
Pamela Perry, the CEO of the Serenity Charity Club, says that she started the program to help take the burden off of families.
“We know parents are working, we know the cost of groceries is up there, so this at least could help a parent out during the day,” said Perry.
The program starts Monday from 12 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Recreation Center and provides free meals to kids 18 and under.
Parents and guardians can pick up meals for kids at the grab-and-go sites by providing proof via report card, Social Security card or birth certificate.
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There’s a misconception that those in need are jobless, homeless and just looking for handouts. Instead, they’re people with jobs but pinched by inflation.
At other locations, you must eat on-site.
The Recreation Manager for Aiken County, Tandra Cooks, was emotional when talking about the significance of the summer meal programs.
“Children don’t ask to be here, and if their parents can’t help them, you know, we as a community have to step up,” said Cooks.
Meanwhile, the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta will be providing free meals to children all summer long through the Summer Food Service Program in partnership with Bright from the Start.
Thousands of meals will be provided daily to children at YMCA locations and partner sites across Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Jefferson and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Barnwell counties in South Carolina, officials say.
“It’s heartbreaking how many children don’t have access to nutritious food when school is out for the summer,” said Catie McCauley, chief operating officer at the Y. “That’s why our Summer Food Program is critical in ensuring no child goes hungry.”
Aside from the summer program, Cheryl’s Kitchen Food Program is part of the YMCA’s year-round effort to address child hunger.
Since March 2020, the Y has provided more than 3.1 million meals and snacks to individuals in need.
Also, all area YMCA locations also serve as food pantries through Golden Harvest Food Bank. Shelf-stable groceries can be picked up on weekdays from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Experts say that they have seen a greater demand for summer feeding programs this year.
“I have noticed a greater need this year as a lot of reports have shown throughout the state that there are more hungry children and individuals out there, and so the way that I noticed it, is when we shared our location list on our Facebook page, it was immediately shared, and it has been shared over 100 times, so it’s obvious to me that the word needs to get out there,” said Cathy Johnson, the Director of Nutrition Services for Richmond County.
Edgefield County is offering summer meals, but the deadline to sign up was on May 28.
Columbia County is also participating in summer feeding programs.
You can see the closest meal sites near you by texting “FOODGA” to 877-877.
Under the federal program Georgia and South Carolina turned down, EBT cards would go to kids who receive free or reduced-cost meals during the school year. The cards would have $40 a month loaded onto them for each of the three summer months. They could use the card at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places.
States would be on the hook for 50% of istrative costs for the program, which builds off another summer feeding program in place during the pandemic.
The decision had significant implications for addressing child hunger during the summer months.
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We’re putting the focus on food as the need for summer meals and young farmers continues to grow. One farm is working to help with both.
Had Georgia and South Carolina accepted the program, it would have provided $120 per child total, or $40 over three summer months.
Both Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster both said the program is a hold-over from the COVID era, and states must get back to sustainable programs. A Kemp spokesman further said the EBT program “fails to address the mission of improving the health and wellness of our children.”
Some parents aren’t happy with states’ decision to opt out.
A ParentsTogether Action petition is calling for a reversal across 14 states that have opted out of the program.
“My daughter does get free school breakfast and lunch and it helps our family tremendously! Groceries would be much more difficult and expensive without her getting two meals during the week at school,” said parent Tasha Miller.
Organizers cited states like Louisiana that initially opted out but reversed course, hoping it would inspire more governors to do the same.
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