Free meals combat childhood food insecurity in Turners Falls

A local food security program is helping out families in need. 22 News reporter Lexi White is live in studio with details on this program and how families are benefiting from it. Yeah, so Project Bread and the Summer Eats program are giving out free meals to children across the state. We got to see their event at Unity Park in Turner's Falls and families say they are extremely grateful to have a lending hand. School is out for the summer, but that doesn't mean school districts are stopping their free meals for families in need. Project Bread and the Summer Eats program are giving out free lunches to those under 18, helping to combat childhood food insecurity. Obviously food is the most basic of needs and for kids in particular, if they don't have access to healthy, nutritious food, it impacts their development, it impacts their health, educational outcomes. With over 1,400 sites across the state, organizers say their goal is to bring these free meals to the kids. They gear their grab-and-go locations to where parents are already taking their children, like parks and libraries, making their services easier for families to access. We need to make sure that they have all the support that they need to grow up to be healthy adults. These are our future doctors, our teachers, the future politicians. They're going to make the world a better place. There are sandwiches filled with protein, veggies, fruit and dairy, giving each child a fully balanced meal. Project Bread and Summer Eats are helping 40% of families facing food insecurity by giving them meals like this, and families say they are extremely grateful for this program. It's a great program, you know, can't say enough about it. It's an economic time, we just kind of get by, we're both on, my wife and I are on fixed income, so this really helps. Parents and caregivers aren't the only people showing their appreciation for these donated lunches. The kids are too. I just like the meals because they're good for us and they're really good. It's because they help us to grow and also we just thank you for all the people for pitching in. Project Bread is the state's leading food security organization and they're hosting these grab-and-go events all summer long, helping families in need one meal at a time. Working for you, Lexi White, 22 News.