TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Hunger is a real issue in our community. Nearly 18% of children in Twin Falls County face food insecurity, as reported by Feeding America. To tackle this, the Twin Falls School District has launched a summer feeding program.
“Many kids in our area rely on school meals as their only source of food,” said Crystal Tubbs, the Child Nutrition Director for the school district.
Starting May 27, the district will offer free breakfast and lunch to kids 18 years and younger, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
Last year, more than 32,000 lunches and nearly 5,000 breakfasts were served. Tubbs expects these numbers to rise as they expand efforts to reach more children at additional locations.
Families can find meals at ten summer meal sites, including:
- Magic Valley High School
- Canyon Ridge High School
- South Hills Middle School
- Perrine Elementary School
- Oregon Trail Elementary School
- Bickel Elementary School
This year, the district has added several parks to the list of meal sites, such as Harmon, Harrison, Sunrise Parks, and Twin Falls City Park.
Chobani is also joining the effort. They are partnering with the school district to provide weekend meals at Twin Falls City Park.
For families seeking more food assistance, the Twin Falls Community Council of Idaho offers free food options Monday through Friday. Roy Villasenor, who manages the community center, shared, “We provide meals to anyone in need. No one is turned away.”
Families can receive a food box each month, which typically includes about 12 meals. The community center relies on donations to fill these boxes with essential items like meat and canned goods.
No registration is necessary for families to participate. Villasenor emphasizes the center’s mission: “We want to ensure no one goes hungry.”
For detailed information on meal locations and times, check out the Community Council of Idaho, a nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income families.
In a time when food security is essential for children’s health and growth, these initiatives play a crucial role in supporting families in Twin Falls. Together, the school district and local organizations are working hard to make a difference and ensure that every child has a meal.
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