SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - For 250,000 low-income children in San Diego County, a healthy breakfast and lunch are provided by their schools. In most cases, that stops during the summer, and now more than ever, that's a problem.
"For all too many San Diego children, summertime brings about hunger," says Vince Hall.
Hall is the CEO of Feeding San Diego, and this is where his organization steps in partnering with the state's Pandemic EBT program. This summer, each eligible child receives a one-time payment of $365 for groceries from the State of California. And for a school like Lexington Elementary in El Cajon, this program is a necessity.
"98% of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged," says Lesley Ezop.
Ezop is the interim principal at Lexington Elementary. It's one of 11 food distribution points that Feeding San Diego partners with to offer children much needed nutrition throughout the summer.
"Just so that kids can have the basics so that they can learn and can function," adds Ezop. "When kids have what they need, they're going to succeed, right?"
But the program doesn't stop there. The children aren't the only ones facing hunger. Feeding San Diego knows if the student needs food assistance, then the entire family needs it. So the organization partners with local schools to provide meals for the whole family.
"If we provide food to youth and not to the adults, that food is just going to be divided, and the effect of our initiative is going to be diminished," says Hall.
Feeding San Diego is there, providing 25,000 meals per week to San Diego County students and their families to ensure that no one goes hungry during this pandemic.
"Until we reach that level of normalcy," says Hall, "Feeding San Diego will be there every day all across San Diego County feeding those families."
When you give to Feeding San Diego, ABC 10News will match donations up to $12,000.00. Donate here.
