More information about End Summer Hunger

About End Summer Hunger

End Summer Hunger is Hopelink's grassroots campaign that gathers support from local businesses, organizations, schools and individuals to help provide low-income families with food for kids who normally receive free and reduced-fee breakfasts and lunches during the school year. Funds raised will go toward the purchase of food which is distributed June through September at Hopelink's six food banks in North and East King County, and will also go toward homelessness prevention programs.

Supporting the Community

End Summer Hunger works with local schools, businesses, and other organizations in two ways. In working with schools, Hopelink arranges for children in classrooms to collect coins. Businesses and other organizations hold food and fund drives according to what works best for each organization.

The Need

Children who receive free or reduced fee meals at school come from families who struggle to provide basic necessities. The loss of this school-based nutritious food program presents an immense challenge to parents who are already squeezing every penny out of their budgets. In addition to budgeting to replace meals they must also find ways to pay for daycare for the summer since for many families both parents work. These stresses create added pressure for families to be able to pay rent or their mortgage, threatening them with becoming homeless.

There are more than 11,000 children in North and East King County who receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch. Those children, usually receiving two hot meals each day, are then home for the summer and the household experiences a strain on their resources. End Summer Hunger is a way for Hopelink to help those families supplement the increased need.