Children's Hunger Relief Programs

Childhood hunger is one of our greatest concerns. In our service area, more than 111,000 low-income children receive free and reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program. Our Children’s Hunger Relief Programs offer solutions for meeting their nutritional needs throughout the year.

Healthy Snacks for Community Tutoring Programs 

The Food Shuttle provides healthy snack items such as fruit cups, granola bars juice or crackers to after-school tutoring programs, camps, and other active youth groups. Nutritious snacks are also provided to participating Housing Authority Communities and Communities in Schools facilities.

BackPack Buddies

The BackPack Buddies Program provides children from food-insecure homes with weekend meals during the school year.

• Local corporations, civic groups, and individuals help collect and pack bags with kid-friendly non-perishable food 
• Children receive a backpack containing six balanced meals and two healthy snacks at the end of every week 
• Children are served in partnership with school principals, guidance counselors, and various after school programs.  

Summer Feeding Program

The program provides summer activities and a balanced lunch, breakfast, and/or snack to children who receive free & reduced lunches during the academic year, but “fall through the cracks” during the summer months.

• Meals conform to federal guidelines for balanced meals
• Meals are prepared by trainees and graduates of our Culinary Job Training Program
• Partners include Franklin Village, Shepard's House, Antioch Baptist Church, Full Gospel Deliverence Center, Holton Center, and Stoneybrook

Kids Cafe

The Food Shuttle provides healthy, hot dinners for children participating in evening tutoring programs.

• Flash-frozen meals are prepared in our kitchen by students and graduates of Culinary Job Training Program
• Flash-frozen meals are re-heated on site for service to at-risk youth
• Partners include Avent Ferry UMC and Western Boulevard Presbyterian in Raleigh, Lakewood YMCA and Holton Career & Resource Center in Durham, Hargraves Center Parks & Rec. in Chapel Hill, and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.