Effort Aimed to Support Children and Families, Curb Hunger During COVID-19 Pandemic
Local nonprofit Save the Children is distributing boxes filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, milk and dairy products in West Virginia as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box program. Families and individuals from Greenbrier County are invited to participate in weekly drive-up distribution events from 3 to 7 p.m. at Rhema Christian Center on Wednesday, Apr. 14.
“We know that coronavirus continues to have significant, detrimental impacts on children and families across America, particularly those who depend on school for meals. Save the Children is proud to be part of the solution to ensure fresh food reaches rural communities,” said Betsy Zorio, Vice President of U.S. Programs and Advocacy at Save the Children. “So often we hear of parents going without to ensure their kids have the food they need to grow healthy and strong. By coordinating distribution efforts in Greenbrier County, we’re hopeful we can help curb hunger for kids and adults alike.”
More than 25,000 food boxes are being distributed weekly at a variety of community pick-up points in rural communities across Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Before COVID-19, nearly 90 percent of counties with high child food insecurity rates were classified as rural. The pandemic has exacerbated hunger across America, with food insecurity rates tripling for households with children.
As part of Save the Children’s coronavirus response efforts in the United States, the nonprofit has helped prepare and deliver more than 8 million meals across rural America since March. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
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