Island Harvest Food Bank Receives $20,000 Grant From Congra Foods Foundation To Help Give Kids A Hunger Free Summer

Grant addresses increased risk of child hunger during summer months when fewer children have access to school feeding programs

Tens of thousands of children on Long Island face hunger. When schools are closed for summer, children have less access to nutritious meals as many rely on free or reduced school breakfasts and lunches. This is why Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, has selected Island Harvest Food Bank to receive a Hunger Free Summer grant funded by the ConAgra Foods Foundation to help provide more meals to children when they need them most, when school is out for summer.

“The Conagra Hunger Free Summer grant allows us to provide more meals to children this summer, so they don’t have to worry about food, and have more time to run, play and be kids,” says Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO, Island Harvest.  “We are privileged to work with Feeding America and our partners at ConAgra Foods Foundation to combat childhood hunger on Long Island.”

This summer, Island Harvest Food Bank is one of 23 Feeding America food banks in 15 states that will receive Hunger Free Summer grants, funded by the ConAgra Foods Foundation and distributed by Feeding America, to start new or expand existing summer feeding programs. These grants totaling $700,000––ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 each––will allow the food banks to serve food in school libraries during the summer months, provide meals to kindergarteners at summer camp and deliver boxes of food to families in need and beyond.

“Island Harvest has expanded its Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to 55 sites across Long Island this year, with more than 175,000 meals expected to be served,” said Dresner. “Through our partnership with Feeding America and the ConAgra Foods Foundation and other generous contributors, we’ll reach more than 4,000 children and families this summer.”

Take Part in a Hunger Free Summer

–     Hunger Free Fridays: Many ConAgra Foods’ products are marked with a red push pin and code. For each eight-digit code entered at www.ChildHungerEndsHere.com this summer, ConAgra Foods will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America®, up to 3 million meals. On every Friday between now and July 31, 2015 1 code = 1 meal  plus 1 bonus meal. Look for a message from Kid President on Hunger Free Fridays.

About Island Harvest Food Bank

Since 1992, Island Harvest has grown to become the largest hunger relief organization in the region, feeding and supporting 316,000 Long Islanders annually, helping to change the lives of millions.  By relying on volunteers, in-kind services, and donated food, close to 94 cents of every dollar donated to Island Harvest directly benefits Island Harvest’s robust programs and initiatives.

With a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, Island Harvest has pioneered innovative and effective food and product collection and distribution systems, hunger awareness and nutrition education programs, job training programs, services for targeted populations, and outreach and advocacy initiatives.  Island Harvest is the region’s leading agency in disaster relief and emergency response readiness for food and product distribution, support and services.  Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.