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News from Kansas Food Bank
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In the NewsSecond Helpings Newsletters
Second Helpings July 2010
Archives: Second Helpings December 2009 Second Helpings December 2008 Second Helpings – Aug. 2007 Feed more children this summerEditorial, The Wichita Eagle June 4, 2010
Given all the local job losses, it’s not surprising that area food pantries have seen increased demand. But it’s troubling that so many of those who are hungry are children — though it’s also encouraging that community groups and officials are working together to help feed more kids this summer. (Continue reading…)  Few children ate free summer mealsBy Rick Plumlee The Wichita Eagle June 2, 2010
The neediest children in Kansas have made very little use of the free meals offered each summer through a federal program. Only 6.8 percent of the state’s children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches at public schools took advantage of the free meals during the summer of 2008, according to the Food Research and Action Center, a Washington-based nonprofit. That has Kansas ranked 49th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Only Oklahoma and Mississippi are lower, at 4.6 and 4.4 percent, respectively. To help increase the participation, the Kansas Food Bank is working with the Wichita school district for this summer’s program, which began serving breakfasts and lunches Tuesday and continues through July 30. (Continue reading…) As economy heals, families go hungryBY RICK PLUMLEEThe Wichita EagleJune 2, 2010 Until a month ago, Lisa worked for a community service organization in El Dorado that helped those struggling to make ends meet. Then the grant money ran out, and the single mother of two teenagers was laid off. Now she needs help. That’s what brought Lisa to the United Methodist’s Open Door’s food pantry at 1611 N. Mosley on Tuesday. “There are a lot of families working hard to do something with their lives,” said Lisa, who asked that her last name not be used for privacy reasons. She tried to prepare for hard times, which is why she has enough savings to rent a house in Wichita for at least a few months. But her resources are limited. “There are a lot of struggles, a lot of hurdles,” Lisa said. She joins a growing list of those who need a boost to handle those bumps. Last year’s unemployment high for the Wichita area was about 29,000, double what it was the previous year. While there are signs the local economy is improving, there are many who are just now reaching the end of their resources after being laid off or having their hours cut. The Kansas Food Bank, which serves 85 counties in the state, has seen a 20 to 30 percent increase in demand for food from last year, said Brian Walker, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. (Continue reading…) Summer meals program expanded in WichitaKWCH-TV May 27, 2010 Click to link to videoIt’s just an empty room now, but this summer, the gym inside the Christian Faith Centre will become a lunchroom. For four years, Pastor Wade Moore, and the Centre have provided summer lunches to kids through the school districts summer food program. “You see parents that bring their children in and you know that this is the only meal that this child is getting that day,” explains Pastor Moore. Last year the church was among 26 sites kids could go to get breakfast for lunch, Monday through Friday. This year, the Kansas Food Bank has been able to recruit 40. CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF MEAL SITES All in an effort to try to help the nearly 70% of Wichita students on free or reduced priced lunch plans. “We’d hoped for a very modest increase but we’re hoping we could possibly see an increase of more than 50% and double what we’ve done in the past, in terms of number of kids served,” said Polly Basore, with the Kansas Food Bank. Backpacks Fight Weekend HungerKansas Public Radio, Dec. 14 – The National School Lunch Program provides free or reduced-cost meals to more than 30-million children every school day. But that leaves at least two days every week when some of those kids may not get enough to eat at home. Food banks serving Kansas are trying to fill at least part of the gap by sending food home with kids at the end of each school week. Health Reporter Bryan Thompson has details as part of our series, “Kansas Health: A Prescription for Change”. Listen to this story on the Kansas Public Radio website. For more information about food assistance for hungry kids visit the Kansas Public Radio website. Just click on the “Health Series” link. Funding for the health series is provided by the Sunflower Foundation of Topeka and the Kansas Health Foundation of Wichita. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. |
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