News Summary
Aiken County, S.C. faces increased challenges in providing summer meals for children after the suspension of the summer EBT program. To address food insecurity, Aiken County Parks and Recreation and the Serenity Charity Club have initiated the Summer Break Cafe, offering free meals to students from June 2 to July 18. The program is essential for families grappling with hunger during school breaks, with community support from Golden Harvest Food Bank and local school districts also providing free meals. This collaboration highlights the urgency of ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition during the summer months.
Aiken County, S.C. is grappling with increased challenges in providing meals for children during the summer months, following the suspension of the summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program in both Georgia and South Carolina. Previously, this program offered $120 in grocery benefits per eligible child, but with its discontinuation this year, many families are now left struggling to secure adequate meals for their children during school break.
To combat this issue, Aiken County Parks and Recreation has teamed up with the Serenity Charity Club to launch the Summer Break Cafe, a program dedicated to feeding kids throughout the summer. The initiative is designed to provide free breakfast and lunch to students, which is critical for addressing the growing concern of food insecurity that typically escalates when school is out.
The Summer Break Cafe program commenced on June 2 and will continue until July 18, 2023. On its opening day alone, nearly 200 meals were distributed, with expectations for these numbers to rise steadily as the program progresses. The meals being served include a variety of options such as hot dogs, pizza, and healthy snacks, ensuring children have access to nutritious food during the summer.
In order to receive meals, families are required to provide proof of a child’s enrollment in school, such as a student ID or report card. This measure aims to confirm eligibility for the program and target those who are most in need. Aiken County Parks and Recreation supervisor noted that this summer food assistance is vital in alleviating some of the financial stress families experience during the summer months when children are not receiving school meals.
Additionally, the community effort is bolstered by the Golden Harvest Food Bank, which is contributing meals through its Summer Harvest Feeding Program and Summer Sprouts Program. This collaboration underscores the community’s commitment to ensuring that children have access to food throughout the summer.
Another option for families in Aiken County comes through the Aiken County Public School District, which is providing free meals to students aged 18 and under from June 2 until June 26. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch is available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Mondays through Thursdays. While elementary schools will conclude meal service on June 19, high schools will offer meals throughout the entire scheduled period, attracting attention from families in need of food assistance. Parents wishing to dine with their children will be charged $3.10 for breakfast and $5.30 for lunch, which allows for onsite dining.
For families in Edgefield County, children under 18 can also access free meals at designated schools on Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., ensuring that neighboring communities have similar resources available to combat summer hunger.
Moreover, Bulloch County Schools are implementing measures to provide free meals to children aged 18 and under without income, school enrollment, or residency restrictions as part of their Summer Meals Program. Bulloch County will also offer weekly meal boxes for pickup on designated days, providing enough food for an entire week, a significant support for families in need.
A substantial percentage of students across Aiken and surrounding counties qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which illustrates the critical need for these summer programs. As children often lose access to regular nutrition when school is not in session, such initiatives are essential to ensure their health and well-being.
In these challenging times, community collaboration and support networks are more critical than ever in ensuring that children do not go hungry during the summer break.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Aiken County Non-Profit Teams Up to Feed Kids Over Summer
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity in the United States
- WJBF: Aiken County School District Providing Free Summer Meals for Students
- Google Search: Summer Mealtime Programs for Kids
- Statesboro Herald: Bulloch Schools to Offer Free Summer Meals
- Google Scholar: Child Nutrition Programs
- WFXG: Golden Harvest Food Bank Expands Their Summer Harvest Program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Nutrition
- Augusta Chronicle: Restaurant Reviews
- Google News: Summer Food Assistance Programs
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
