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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

MN Food Resources for Kids When School Ends

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Tuesday, May 29, 2018   

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Another school year soon comes to an end in Minnesota, and for the one-in-six kids from families considered "food insecure," that could mean a long, hungry summer if not for the state's Summer Food Service Program.

The federally funded nutrition program is open to youth age 18 and under, and is an extension of the National School Lunch Program. Child hunger specialist JoAnna Lund with Feeding America said no registration is required, and some sites even provide activities in addition to a healthy meal.

She noted that food insecurity for any length of time is detrimental to children's health and development.

"And so, kind of from an emotional point, kids should be having fun during the summer, but they're really caught up in, 'Where's my next meal going to come from?’” Lund said. “And it starts to affect their educational progress."

Sixty-four percent of children in Minneapolis schools and 70 percent in St. Paul qualify for free and reduced-price lunches. Lund said the Summer Food Service Program is being used by only about 10-15 percent of the students who need it and are eligible.

More information is online at 2harvest.org.

Minnesota has more than 700 summer meal sites for kids at community centers, libraries, food trucks in parks, churches and schools. Lund said the turnout would be higher, but many families either don't know about them, or can't get there.

"The biggest problem, other than the awareness piece, is transportation,” she said. “If the parents are working, if it's not in an urban area where there's not transportation, it's really hard for kids to get there."

Lund said like the school lunch program, summer meals meet nutrition standards, so kids will get protein, grains, vegetables and fruits. To make finding a meal site as easy as possible, Hunger Impact Partners has introduced a phone app called "Summer Eats Minnesota."

"If you download that on your smartphone, it's location-based, and it will give you the times and locations of meal sites closest to where you are,” Lund said.

She said the smartphone app even includes the day's menu at many locations serving summer meals to children.


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