Letter to the Editor: 'Summer BreakSpots' offer hunger relief for children

School might be out for the summer, but hunger never takes a vacation.

For too many children across Central Florida, what’s supposed to be a time to relax and have fun is often filled with uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

During the school year, more than 65 percent of students receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch from Orange County Public Schools. But when class isn’t in session, these kids are at risk.

Thankfully, OCPS and school districts throughout the state provide a safety net called “Summer BreakSpot,” a federally funded program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

From June 8 through Aug. 21, anyone 18 and under can eat free, nutritionally balanced meals at schools, churches, nonprofits, day-care centers and municipal recreation sites located in geographic areas of high need. Last summer, more than 300,000 kids in Florida benefitted from this essential service.

For the eighth consecutive year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is taking part in the program. This summer, however, the nonprofit is expanding its involvement as never before, preparing 5,200 nutritious meals every day in its Darden Community Kitchen. That’s more than triple the amount when compared to 2014.

On the menu: fresh sandwiches, salads, fruits and vegetables, 100-percent fruit juice and milk. Each meal is prepared by Second Harvest’s chefs and culinary students then distributed to 60 Summer BreakSpots sponsored by the food bank.

OCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services uses seven central kitchens to feed nearly 200 other locations in Orange County with the same quality ingredients for healthy living. School districts in neighboring counties operate in a similar fashion, drawing on public and private resources to aid a vulnerable segment of our young people.

Although we expect to serve 300,000 meals this summer to approximately 3,000 children in Orange County alone, the unfortunate reality is that only 8 percent of the eligible population will actually take advantage of this free program.

Will you help us help kids from going hungry? Together, let’s spread the word so more families can experience why Summer BreakSpots is such a wonderful outreach.

View a list of participating sites, and learn more about the program by visiting feedhopenow.org.

Dave Krepcho is president and CEO at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Lora Gilbert is senior director of Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services.