Hundreds of Thousands of Hoosier Children Without Free or Reduced-Price Meals During Summer
(INDIANAPOLIS)- When school is not in session, students who would normally rely on free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch see that food disappear.
Cathy Hahn Keiner with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana said that of the 425,000 Hoosier children receiving food assistance during the school year, only about 18% will get that same assistance during the summer.
Keiner says a lack of access to transportation and inclement weather make getting food assistance more difficult for children in need. Moreover, she is hopeful that a bipartisan bill in Congress, the Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act, will pass.
The bill, introduced by Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN), would expand summer food programs to create better access in rural areas, where child hunger appears to be more prevalent.