Richmond, VA – According to the latest Map the Meal Gap information put out by Feeding America, one in four children in Chesterfield County experiences hunger on a regular basis. A group of concerned parents and citizens formed the End Childhood Hunger Now backpack program titled “Hunger Stops Here” in response to this public health crisis. Despite enrollment in food subsidy programs, families experiencing uncertainties surrounding meals remain at the higher levels experienced at the start of the 2008 economic downturn. “Our agency saw children slipping through the cracks. And even when families are enrolled in food supplement programs, there are still gaps in services that must be …show more content…
Therefore, they have collaborated with the Hunger Stops Here program in three pilot elementary schools. Initial food drives included gathering backpacks and non-perishable, nutritious food items to ensure there are enough supplies to reach at least several hundred students. “This program makes sense because as educators we know that hungry children have less of a chance to realize their full potential when learning,” said superintendent James Lane, ED. D. “This is an opportunity to ensure that our students have a greater chance of success in and outside of the classroom.” The program will be registering participants at each of the three schools on multiple nights:
Bellwood Elementary, 9536 Dawnshire Rd, N. Chesterfield: Thursday & Friday, March 1 & 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crestwood Elementary, 7600 Whittington Drive, Richmond: Thursday & Friday, March 8 & 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jacobs Elementary, 8800 Jacobs Rd., Chesterfield: Thursday & Friday, March 15 & 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 2