One of my kids’ favorite summer activities is a dinner picnic. It’s a simple thing—we’ll often just spread a blanket in the backyard—but they think it’s the absolute best.
As I pack those picnic baskets full of food, I often take for granted a major blessing: My kids have more than enough food to nourish their growing bodies and fuel their summertime fun. But that’s not the case for thousands of families in Williamson County. For them, summer means the end of affordable school meals and the beginning of a three-month struggle to keep their children fed.
No parent should have to choose between paying the electric bill or buying groceries—yet 69% of low-income families face exactly this impossible choice during summer months.1
These parents stretch their budgets to the breaking point to provide food for their children. For many, this means turning to inexpensive processed foods that fill bellies but lack essential nutrients. The consequences are heartbreaking:
- Low-income children gain weight 2–3 times faster during summer from empty calories
- Their cognitive development slows without proper nutrition
- The learning gains they made during the school year begin to reverse2
This isn’t just about hunger, it’s about potential. Studies show that children with access to nutritious summer meals show higher reading and math proficiency. They’re more likely to graduate high school. They lead healthier lives with less chronic disease.3
Healthy summer meals literally propel children forward into brighter futures.
But giving kids that shot at success has become more challenging. Especially this year. Food bank donations are down, and government spending on food programs has been cut at state and federal levels.
In spite of that, we have reason to hope. Right now, we know there are at least 2,300 food-insecure kids in Williamson County.4 With your faithful support, we believe we can feed every single one of them. It’s well within our reach.
Together, we can turn summer from a time of struggle into a season of growth and joy for every child.
Ways to Engage This Month
- Please pray that our food pantry would be filled to overflowing this summer.
- If you’d like to help end summer hunger for children in Williamson County, go here.
Thank you so much for your heart for this community and your partnership in our work.
— Alicia Bell, CEO