As the hungriest summer in memory draws closer for Minnesota’s kids, Second Harvest Heartland, Youth prise and Saint Paul Public Schools are working together to feed those in need, "First, action is needed at the federal level," said Allison O’Toole, CEO, Second Harvest Heartland. "The USDA has created some flexibility in the way summer means are run. New flexibility that has allowed schools and other non-profits serving kids meals, to offer home delivery or curbside pickup, need to be extended."
O' Toole would like to see the extension through September.
"Second, we can do more at the state and local level to support access to summer meals," she said."
Second Harvest Heartland provides technical assistance and other resources to dozens of schools across the state.
"At St Paul Public Schools, we have definitely seen an increase in need," said Stacy Koppen, Director of Nutrition Services, Saint Paul Public Schools.
"On a "normal school" day 2 out of 3 students are from households with food insecurity, but as unemployment rates continue to climb, so quickly we are seeing more families in need, and we are expecting that to exponentially exceed anything have seen in history."
Last week, Second Harvest Heartland delivered more than 2 million pounds of food and more than 13 thousand emergency food boxes to food shelves.
