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VALDOSTA – Whereas most youngsters like to guzzle soda and snack on ice cream through the canine days of summer time, Second Harvest of South Georgia and Georgia Division of Early Care and Studying’s Shiny from the Begin have one thing a bit extra nutritious on the menu.
The nonprofit and the federal government company hosted an occasion Tuesday to convey group consciousness to summer time meals packages for Georgia’s youngsters, such because the Children Cafe program and Comfortable Helpings Summer season Meals Service program, to assist feed youngsters throughout the area.
Eliza McCall, Second Harvest chief advertising officer, stated through the summer time months when faculty is out, many youngsters now not have constant entry to nutritious meals and snacks. To assist fill the starvation hole, Second Harvest and DECAL present free meals to any little one 18 years outdated and youthful. Adults 19 years and older who’re enrolled in class packages for individuals with disabilities may obtain meals.
Cindy Kicklighter, advertising and outreach supervisor for DECAL, stated the packages concentrate on not simply preserving youngsters full however on ensuring that what they’re consuming is wholesome and nutritious.
“It must be a nutritious meal that meets the USDA’s (United States Division of Agriculture) necessities. What we’re doing as we speak is tying within the hydration station and attempting to get the youngsters to study staying hydrated,” she stated.
“We additionally put emphasis on wholesome meals like pineapples and watermelons and educate them about that. We even have bodily actions like hula hoops and leap rope. We need to preserve them energetic and make it enjoyable as nicely.”
Second Harvest and DECAL additionally collaborated with Children Cafe companion web site the Above and Past Basis. Genesis Lewis, principal officer of ABF, stated you will need to intervene and mentor the kids whereas they’re nonetheless younger.
“One of many issues Above and Past is attempting to do is hit them younger. So the explanation you see books and that stuff out right here is as a result of I’m pushing childhood literacy and hygiene. The meals program is ‘You gotta eat.’ as a result of all of us gotta eat. The books and the hygiene are first issues first, as a result of we will’t get wherever if we don’t have the fundamentals,” she stated.
Summer season meal service will proceed at websites throughout the nation till faculty is again in session. No proof of earnings or residency is required for participation. Households in South Georgia can discover free meals for his or her youngsters by texting “Summer season Meals” to (914) 342-7744, calling Second Harvest’s helpline (888) 453-4143 or by visiting FeedingSGA.org.
Second Harvest, a member of Feeding America, serves 26 counties and is the state’s largest rural meals financial institution, distributing 20 million meals within the final 12 months and feeding 1000’s of kids each day.
Georgia DECAL’s Shiny from the Begin is answerable for assembly the kid care and early training wants of Georgia’s youngsters and their households.
The Above and Past Basis’s mission is enhancing early childhood improvement by way of literacy and private hygiene habits.
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