Need To Fill Food Pantries Locally During Kid's Summer Break
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Summer means beach vacations, camp and free time, but for some families who rely on school meals for their children, this time of year can be tough.
More than 300,000 children in our area lose their school breakfast and lunch meals during summer break.
"Hunger is just as prevalent in the summer, maybe even more so than it is in the winter," says Stefanie Arck-Baynes with Philabundance.
She says the time off can have a devastating impact on families:
"We unfortunately have one in four people who face hunger in the Philadelphia area, and the average in the United States is one in seven."
She says some farms and community gardens help alleviate the problem, but donations are needed.
"60-percent of those we serve are the working poor. Those are the people that have one or two jobs, but still just can't make ends meet, especially during the summer when kids are out of school."
She says any cash or can donation is appreciated, but…
"We like it when people donate peanut butter and tuna, some products that are more expensive for families, but are really needed and helpful for children's development."
Learn more about helping out here.