The American Federation of Teachers recently gave out grants in urban, suburban, and rural communities across America to increase literacy and improve nutrition in dozens of schools.

In Louisiana, AFT's Powerful Partnerships Institute awarded a grant in Jefferson Parish that will fund a backpack program helping children in food-insecure families at four schools.

The 38 grants create partnerships with community organizations and volunteer parent groups to address a number of needs in different school districts.

While some programs are set up to help with academic work, there's also emotional support programs, along with services such as career development - and, as in Jefferson Parish, nutrition assistance.

The backpack meals are made possible by a partnership with the nonprofit Second Harvest. Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Sandra Hauer said the backpacks have shelf stable no-prep foods that will keep over a weekend.

"It's a lot of easy-open, nutritious, non-perishable food - things like cereal, applesauce, a Lunchable," said Hauer. "Things like that - that kids could serve themselves, feed themselves - and don't require any heating or any refrigeration."

She said the grant is enough to support 200 students, but she estimated the need in the district is at least twice that.

Jefferson Parish has the largest school district in the state, with more than 70 schools.

Last year an AFT grant facilitated a partnership with the nonprofit First Book to provide 3,000 books to kids. JFT members handed the books out at school open house events and a portion were given to school libraries.

Hauer said as one of the most diverse districts in the state, books were available in multiple languages.

"Our district is large, it's very diverse," said Hauer. "They have over 43 languages that are spoken in Jefferson Parish, and many of the books too that we passed out were in a different language in order to meet the literacy needs of all the students."

Texas leads the nation in food insecurity. According to the latest "Map the Meal Gap" study, from Feeding America, nearly 5 million people in the state are hungry, up almost 3% from 2021.

Most people experiencing food insecurity do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and rely on help from local food banks to make ends meet.

Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, said the organization serves the 13 counties with the fourth-largest area of food insecurity in the nation.

"If you look at the number of people who are food insecure in the North Texas Food Bank service area, it's equivalent to the entire population of Seattle or San Francisco, if everyone in those cities needed food," " Cunningham pointed out.

She added 40% of those in need are children. The three counties with the highest food insecurity rates served by the food bank are Navarro, Lamar and Hopkins.

The number of families experiencing food insecurity has continued to increase since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Feeding America report showed close to 780,000 people in the food bank's 13-county service area need assistance. Cunningham emphasized inflation and the end of pandemic subsidies put an even bigger strain on people's budgets. She recently spoke with a young mother who needed help.

"She had two children to feed, she was working, but she needed to have some additional support," Cunningham recounted. "Coming to the food pantry has given her that buffer that she needs."

As the school year ends, she said the food bank is preparing for an increase in demand. The report showed disparities persist in who faces hunger in the food bank's service area, with Black and Hispanic families most in need.


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It is nearly summer, and time to go to bat for those struggling with hunger in New Mexico.

This Saturday, letter carriers with the U.S. Postal Service will collect nonperishable food items on the doorsteps of customers as part of "Stamp Out Hunger," the nation's largest one-day food drive.

Marie Montano, a letter carrier and member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 504 in Albuquerque, participates each year because she said it is a chance to give back to the community.

"The end of April, I start talking about it to my customers, letting my customers know," Montano explained. "Every little bit counts. One day alone, at one station, we get close to about 500 pounds per carrier."

Feeding America's 2023 "Map the Meal Gap" study found one in five children and one in seven people overall are at risk of hunger in New Mexico.

Those who want to help can fill a sturdy bag or box with nonperishable food and leave it next to their mailbox on Saturday before their usual mail delivery.

The drive in Albuquerque will benefit Roadrunner Food Bank, which distributes food within the city and also statewide.

Sonya Warwick, director of communications and events for the food bank, knows there is a significant need right now, because more people are showing up at distribution sites.

"It's one of the largest food drives that happens all across the country," Warwick pointed out. "Going into the summer months is very critical food for us, given that we do see hunger spike with little kiddos out of school and they may not have access to those free and reduced (price) meals that they typically would get at school."

In addition to Roadrunner, food banks in other parts of the state including Santa Fe and Artesia are participating. Warwick emphasized New Mexico's food banks are always working to close the state's meal gap.

"It can be difficult simply because there are so many communities across the state who have so much need, particularly rural communities in our state," Warwick stressed. "They tend to see much larger hunger rates especially among the most vulnerable, like children."

For those who cannot participate, Warwick added a monetary donation is always helpful because it allows Roadrunner to purchase food in categories not donated as often.

A new program in Indiana will ensure year-round access to nutritious meals for students statewide.

The Summer Electronic Transfer program provides a one-time $120 payment for school-aged children on an EBT card. The card can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said history shows programs such as SUN Bucks are effective.

"What we learned from the pandemic is that when we provide benefits like this, allowing families to pickup on behalf of their children made a tremendous difference in reducing food insecurity amongst kids during the pandemic," Weikert Bryant observed. "Particularly during the summer."

Local schools will discuss eligibility with parents and families. Additionally, free meals are available at SUN Meals sites throughout communities. Funding for the initiative is provided by the state and the U-S-D-A.

Weikert Bryant said SUN Bucks serves as a crucial lifeline, ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months. The program reflects Indiana's commitment to fostering the well-being of Hoosier kids, ensuring they receive nutritious meals to thrive personally and academically. She described who qualifies.

"Children are eligible for the program if the household already participates in SNAP, TANF -- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -- or income-based Medicaid," Weikert Bryant outlined. "Or if the student has been identified as a ward of the state; a foster child, homeless or migrant."

Those children will automatically receive benefits. Families who do not qualify for those programs but have children who receive free and reduced priced meals need to apply for the program. The application deadline is May 1.


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