Each summer community food banks see a spike in requests because kids are out of school and not receiving school lunches.
During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-priced breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. Each summer community food banks see a spike in requests because kids are out of school and not receiving these school meals. Spikes in demand also coincide with periods where donations decline because many residents are on vacation.
Lack of nutrition during the summer months can also set-up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Likewise, hunger can also may make children more prone to illness and other health issues. In other situations, children eat because their parents skip meals to put food on the table for them. Unfortunately, that is a terrible choice to make; this endangers the health of the adults and affects the well-being of everyone in the family.
This food drive is a great way for you to make a difference in the lives of residents in our community this summer! Simply purchase food items (such as cereal, peanut butter, water-packed tuna, rice, water-packed vegetables, canned fruit, soup, pasta, etc.) and drop them off at 513 SE Magazine Rd, Ankeny during the week of June 3-7. The food collected will be delivered to the Northern Polk County Red Rock Area Community Action Program here in Ankeny.
Please help support our community food bank by participating in the Feed the Children Food Drive! It's a critical time for our area to become involved and remember the children in our area who are hungry on a daily basis throughout the summer months.
We are grateful for your help- and so are the families that need your support!