TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With schools getting ready to close for the summer, the Summer Break Spot Program is ready to jump in and fill an important void.
In Florida alone, 1.1 million children are food insecure, according to Feeding Florida.
When the bell rings on the last day of school, many children in the Big Bend will start to wonder where their next meal might come from. The Department of Agriculture and various partners within the community are working together to make sure underprivileged children stay fed this summer, an important factor for their well-being.
"Nutrition is so important because we want to ensure that our children are growing and getting all of the nutrients they need," said Rachel Mohler, Program Implementation Supervisor for the Florida Department of Agriculture.
The program provides free nutritious meals to children 18 years and younger. In our area, there are many sponsors ready to lend a helping hand.
"Here in the Big Bend area, we have 14 sponsors of the program that will be operating currently 126 meal sites," said Mohler.
Mohler knows first hand how meaningful this program can be for families during the summer.
"I was a sponsor of the program prior to taking this position and I know how important it is and how meaningful it is for the families that need a little extra help in the summer time," said Mohler. "The kids are able to go out and have breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner."
This is the first year Mission San Luis will be participating in the summer Break Spot Program. The staff here is excited to be able to give back to the community.
"We want to make sure that or community knows that we're giving back to them and that they are important," said Matthew Smith, with the Education Department at Mission San Luis.
The program will last through the entire summer. Trying to end food insecurity in our area one meal at a time.
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