Summer Surge: How Food Insecurity in the Brazos Valley Affects Families and Solutions to Combat It

Brazos Valley Faces Increased Food Needs This Summer

In Bryan-College Station, Texas, the Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) is gearing up for a surge in food demand this summer. This time of year, many families need extra support, especially when kids are out of school and meals aren’t provided during the day.

Shannon Avila, the Programs Director at BVFB, highlights that summer brings financial strains. Families often face higher utility costs but have fewer resources available. “It’s not a new issue, but it becomes more pressing in the summer,” she explains.

The stats are alarming: one in five Texas children goes hungry, according to Feeding America. With summer break, kids miss out on crucial meals they would usually get at school. “That’s five lunches a week—plus breakfast. It totals around ten meals each week for each child,” Avila noted.

To address this need, BVFB runs several programs, such as the Backpack Program. In the 2023-2024 school year, they distributed over 53,000 backpacks to 2,039 children in six counties. This initiative helps families that struggle to provide food when school isn’t in session.

BVFB collaborates with various organizations to widen its reach. For example, in Brazos County, they partner with the juvenile department. In Washington County, local summer camps distribute food. Churches in Grimes County and Navasota also play a role in helping children get meals.

Community food banks, like The Bridge Ministries, are stepping up too. “We serve about 150 families weekly,” said Colby Street, Executive Director of The Bridge Ministries. “We’re eager to expand our support.”

Throughout the summer, numerous locations are hosting food drives to assist those in need. Here are some areas where help is available:

• Brazos: College Hills, Creek View, Forest Ridge
• Burleson: Caldwell, Snook
• Grimes: Brule, Webb Elementary
• Madison: Madisonville Elementary
• Robertson: Hearne, Bremond

If you’re looking for additional support, the BVFB website offers a comprehensive list of programs. You can also find resources at Square Meals for statewide assistance.

This summer, let’s ensure that no child in our community goes hungry. It’s a collective effort that requires awareness and action from us all.

Source link

breaking news video,video updates,live video,live updates,breaking news,press conference,live speeches,real time coverage