CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 900,000 children in our state depend on schools for a nutritious meal during the academic year.
A North Carolina organization is using a food truck to ensure more kids are being fed during the summer months.
FeedNC stands for Food, Education, Essentials, and Dignity. The organization uses programs and services to fight food insecurity in the Mooresville area.
FeedNC is now in position to boost their mobile efforts this summer, thanks to a food truck donated by Inspire Our Children and West Church LKN.
As part of the Children's Summer Lunch Program, the FeedNC food truck will offer free lunch items in underserved communities.
The food will be provided to families in three neighborhoods, every Thursday during June and July.
Brittany Holbert serves at the chief operating officer at FeedNC.
Holbert said this type of food program is needed for many families during the summer break.
"We serve thousands of kids each year so we know that need exists," Holbert said.
"Kids are out of school and sometimes not getting the nutrition they need. At FeedNC, we have community dining we offer to anyone in the community, they can come in for a free breakfast or lunch. But we wanted to make sure we could get out to those folks, especially those kids, [that are now] at home during the summer. This was our way of bridging that gap," she said.
In addition to the summer program, FeedNC will be using the food truck on Fridays to bring nutritious groceries to families in need.
"Dignity is at the forefront of everything we do. It's really two-fold. No one should ever be made to feel less than for asking for help or needing services. The second piece is the experience with the children. The kids will look back at those memories and say, 'I grabbed food from a food truck with my mom like every other kid,'" Holbert said.
Parent Shay Hill was surprised to see the food truck in her neighborhood.
"I was trying to figure out what to feed the kids for lunch," Hill said. "I was shocked to see it. They said it was free and I [told my kids] go and get some food."
Hill says this food truck will definitely help any family trying to put food on the table.
"Helps out a lot of parents that don't have enough money for food to support their kids in the summer," Hill said.
"If anyone is in need of these services, they are welcome to come to any these communities during the hours we're here," Holbert said. "If you are interested in having us come to your community next summer, you can always reach out to us and we'd be happy to see where we can go. This is a pilot, our first time doing this. We're excited to learn more about the need and what we can do to support and bridge that gap."
Parents can learn more about the Children's Summer Lunch Program and neighborhoods being served by contacting FeedNC on the organization's website.