Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Seeks Donations by June 30 to Reach $100K Matching Grant
Courtesy photo
SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is approaching the end of its End Summer Hunger campaign, a month-long campaign to raise $100K to help feed children, the most at-risk during the summer months. During the first two weeks of operating its Picnic in the Park program, the Foodbank distributed 10,618 healthy lunches via sixteen sites countywide — an astonishing 907 more kids are participating already compared to last year. The Foodbank is shy of reaching its $100K by June 30 to fund 100% of the Picnic in the Park program, which provides children with 35,000 free, healthy lunches to ensure that all children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
For many children who receive free and reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean hunger. 34,000 children in our County who receive free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year don’t receive any meal assistance during the summer, a time of critical brain development. To support these children, the Foodbank’s Picnic in the Park program provides over 35,000 nutritious meals for 2,500 local low-income children during the summer (over 1000 meals per day throughout Santa Barbara County). The Picnic in the Park program started on June 13 throughout the County and also provides educational services for children, families and the public about healthy eating and staying active.
The End Summer Hunger campaign supports the mission of the Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan, and is crucial in closing the ‘summer hunger gap’ in Santa Barbara County, and promoting wellness and healthy eating during summer months.
Donations received by June 30, will be matched by an anonymous donor. To donate and get involved, visit endsummerhunger.org or to find locations where lunches will be served text SUMMERFOOD to 877-877 or visit Find a Lunch.