Volunteers Sought for Summer Feeding Program

Office of the Mayor - May 8, 2007
Contact: Linda Jackson Barnes, 727-2058

Mayor Allen Joines and Superintendent Don Martin of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools today announced a new initiative to increase the number of children served by the school system’s summer nutrition program, and appealed for volunteers to make it possible.

Officials hope to feed up to 2,000 school-age children a day this summer through the "Summer Feeding Program for Hungry Children." Volunteers are needed to help transport children to the 21 schools that will serve as feeding sites, and to monitor the cafeterias. No cooking, serving or cleaning will be involved.

"Proper nutrition is essential to keep our students healthy and active over the summer," Martin said. "Last year, we fed an average of 1,690 children a day over the summer, compared with 24,000 students who qualify for reduced or free meals. So, we know there are children who were not served last year."

Joines said that last year, North Carolina returned over $7 million in federal money that was available for summer feeding programs but never spent. "Here in Winston-Salem, some feeding sites closed early last summer for lack of children. Our hope is that this year, individuals, churches and service organizations will help us increase participation by providing transportation and supervision for these children."

Florence Corpening, the executive director of the YWCA, said that last summer, about half of the children in the YWCA’s summer day-care program arrived each day without a lunch. "With the help of our school system and some kind-hearted volunteers, we can make sure that this summer, these children get a healthy and nutritious meal each day."

Martin said school officials have refined the list of schools that will serve as feeding sites, to ensure they will be available all summer and are in proximity to city recreation centers and other organizations, such as the YWCA, that have summer youth programs.

This collaboration between the city and the schools is a result of the Leadership Winston-Salem 2006 Action Learning project on summer feeding recommendations.

The summer feeding program will begin June 18 and end Aug. 10. This year the program will provide both breakfast and lunch. Volunteers are needed for both meals. For more details and to volunteer, call the Mayor’s office at 727-2058.