We’d like you to meet Kate.

Kate represents the thousands of Vermont children who struggle with hunger.  This year, the Vermont Foodbank will provide 8 million pounds of food to as many as 86,000 Vermonters, 34% of whom are children under the age of 18. According to USDA, 1 in 5 Vermont children are hungry.

Good nutrition, particularly in the first three years of life, is important in establishing a good foundation that has implications for a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement, and economic productivity. Unfortunately, food insecurity is an obstacle that threatens that critical foundation. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 16.7 million children under 18 in the United States live in households where they are unable to consistently access enough nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.

The Vermont Foodbank has a number of programs focused on ensuring every Vermont child has enough food to eat. The BackPack Program provides bags of kid-friendly, nutritious food to children when other resources, like school breakfast and lunch, are not available, such as weekends and school vacations.  The Summer Food Service Program provides wholesome breakfasts and lunches to children in low-income communities five days per week during the summer. The Vermont Foodbank secures funding so the sites can provide educational and recreational activities in a safe, fun and welcoming environment.

1 in 5 children like Kate face hunger and summer is a critical time for hungry kids like Kate.  Your donation of $1 can provide 3 meals to Vermont children in need.  Please give to the Vermont Foodbank today.