Do you remember the last week (or even month) of school? Everyone – even the teachers – were so excited for the summer break. July and August brought endless bike rides, neighbourhood exploration, pool parties and so much fun!

But for 1 out of 3 kids in Toronto, the last day of school will be an awful day. They don’t want school to end because it’s the only reliable time and place they can get food. For them, the last day of school is the worst day of the year. It means they won’t have access to school nutrition programs. It means they will be hungry all summer long.

“I don’t want to leave school. This is where I get food. When summer comes, I know I’ll be hungry.”

It doesn’t have to be this way. Did you know that for as little as $21 you can provide fresh, nutritious food to feed a child who is hungry for a full week – that’s three wholesome meals each day.

Children like Esther, who is 8 years old, bright and creative. Esther and her three siblings attend schools with nutrition programs. Vital programs that provide nutritious food before and during the school day. But after June 27, the last day of school in Toronto, Esther, her siblings and other children who struggle in poverty, won’t have access to school nutrition programs.

When school is out, the stress and pressure on parents to feed their children multiplies. It’s just a fact: when you are struggling in poverty, school nutrition programs are vital to parents and their children.

With your help today, we can help families in need access the food they need all summer long.

Will you make a donation and help a child in need? Click here.