AUSTIN, Texas — School has let out for the summer and that has local food banks working harder than ever to ensure children continue receiving nutritious meals.
Across the country, one in five children experiences food insecurity, and organizations in Central Texas say rising grocery prices are making summer meal programs essential for many families.
“We are seeing an increase in reliance on food bank support,” said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank.
At a summer camp in Austin, children spent part of their day creating colorful art projects with construction paper, glitter and pipe cleaners. For 7-year-old Ilana, the crafts are a highlight of camp.
“I’m cutting round pipe cleaners in half and using those as sparkly leaves, so I’m kind of making a forest,” she said.
But beyond arts and crafts, camp organizers say one of the most important parts of the day happens at lunchtime.
“We had chicken with rice and potatoes,” Ilana said.
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Campers also enjoyed snow cones as a cool treat during the Texas summer heat.
Parents say the meals provide much-needed financial relief during a season when household expenses spike.
“It’s free, so that is really helpful with four kids, and summertime is an extremely expensive time,” said Diana Hagerty, a mother of four.
Hagerty said programs supported by the Central Texas Food Bank do more than provide weekday meals. Many families also receive food to take home for the weekend.
“Usually at the end of the week there is also a bag of food that goes home with the kids,” Hagerty said. “So, it adds supplemental nourishment over the weekends.”
The demand for food assistance continues to grow. According to the Central Texas Food Bank, the organization has increased the number of meals it provides each week from about 20,000 to more than 30,000.
“SNAP dollars aren’t stretching as far. Families simply are running out of funds due to increased costs of eggs, milk and food in general. It is really hitting households hard,” said Vatske.
The federally funded Summer Food Service Program supports more than traditional camp lunches. The initiative also helps distribute meal boxes in rural communities where transportation and access to food can be significant challenges.
“We’re here providing meals that are nutritious, delicious, and we want to make sure that kids have a happy summer, and they’re well-nourished to be able to start the school year in the fall,” Vatske said. “We want to provide food to summer camps, to park sites, to anywhere kids gather.”
As food costs remain high, local organizations say summer meal programs are helping ensure that children have reliable access to food and that summer does not become the hungriest time of the year.
