Burlington

Love finds a way to fight summer hunger

Leslie Caringello shows off some of the food items that will be available to families with school-aged children through a Love Inc. summer program with the food pantry. (Photo by Jennifer Eisenbart)

Goal is to help feed kids on summer break

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff writer

For students who receive free and reduced-cost meals through the school system, summertime can be more than just playtime and vacation – it can be a real strain on the family finances.

Love Inc. program coordinator Leslie Caringello found that need recently, and decided the service agency needed to do something about it.

Operating under the slogan, “Hunger doesn’t take a vacation,” the “Summer Support for Students Food Drive” kicks off July 1.

“Their budgets are taking a big hit,” said Caringello of families who have school-age children who are using the agency’s food pantry.

“I think it’s a need that occurred to us,” she added. “We can help defray some of the burden for families over the summer.”

As a result, the organization is aiming to present an extra box of lunch items – peanut butter, jelly, bread, macaroni and cheese, etc. – to each family with school-age children in July.

In August, a similar box full of breakfast items will be provided.

Anyone using the food pantry who can prove they have school-aged children is eligible.

Caringello said the agency is paring with local grocery stores, which will pre-package bags of food that people can purchase and then donate.

Also, anyone wishing to sponsor a family – similar to the Thanksgiving meals provided by the agency – can donation $19.95 for a box.

For more information, contact Love Inc. at 763-6226.

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