“One in six Maryland children doesn’t always know where their next meal will come from.” Fortunately in Dorchester County, all school children in grades Pre-K-12 receive free breakfast and lunch in school every day. However, what about when these kids aren’t in school? That’s why programs like MidShore Meals til Monday are critical to closing the gap for our food-insecure children.
Twenty percent of Maryland school children go to school without enough to eat to fuel their bodies and brains. Children who are hungry cannot learn; they cannot concentrate on anything beyond their empty bellies. Undernourished students are more likely to experience illness and fatigue; are sick more frequently and take longer to recover. Lack of nutritious food impacts a child’s ability to perform well in school and causes behavioral, emotional and academic problems.
Hunger is not only lack of adequate food; it’s also lack of adequate nutrition. Children who fight hunger are more likely to have poor nutrition, struggle with obesity and other harmful effects of poor diet. Some of these can last a lifetime, such as dental problems, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. Nearly 21 percent of Maryland families with children cannot afford to give them regular, healthy meals. Many must choose between wholesome food and other household expenses and so countless children do not get fed.
Dorchester County is the largest county on the Eastern Shore. Approximately 5,000 students attend public school here and participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program. This allows schools in low-income areas to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students. The Mid Shore and Dorchester County in particular, is home to an abundance of farms and other natural resources. However, without programs such as the Maryland Food Bank’s Farm to School program or the University of Maryland Extension Food Supplement Nutrition Education Programmany of our students would not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables or information on healthy foods.
MidShore Meals til Monday works with these partners and others to provide and promote healthy food choices and adequate nutrition for children in Dorchester County, the MidShore and beyond.
For food resources in your community and information about applying for SNAP, visit the following websites:
Community Resources
“One in six Maryland children doesn’t always know where their next meal will come from.” Fortunately in Dorchester County, all school children in grades Pre-K-12 receive free breakfast and lunch in school every day. However, what about when these kids aren’t in school? That’s why programs like MidShore Meals til Monday are critical to closing the gap for our food-insecure children.
Twenty percent of Maryland school children go to school without enough to eat to fuel their bodies and brains. Children who are hungry cannot learn; they cannot concentrate on anything beyond their empty bellies. Undernourished students are more likely to experience illness and fatigue; are sick more frequently and take longer to recover. Lack of nutritious food impacts a child’s ability to perform well in school and causes behavioral, emotional and academic problems.
Hunger is not only lack of adequate food; it’s also lack of adequate nutrition. Children who fight hunger are more likely to have poor nutrition, struggle with obesity and other harmful effects of poor diet. Some of these can last a lifetime, such as dental problems, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. Nearly 21 percent of Maryland families with children cannot afford to give them regular, healthy meals. Many must choose between wholesome food and other household expenses and so countless children do not get fed.
Dorchester County is the largest county on the Eastern Shore. Approximately 5,000 students attend public school here and participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program. This allows schools in low-income areas to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students. The Mid Shore and Dorchester County in particular, is home to an abundance of farms and other natural resources. However, without programs such as the Maryland Food Bank’s Farm to School program or the University of Maryland Extension Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program many of our students would not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables or information on healthy foods.
MidShore Meals til Monday works with these partners and others to provide and promote healthy food choices and adequate nutrition for children in Dorchester County, the MidShore and beyond.
For food resources in your community and information about applying for SNAP, visit the following websites:
Maryland Food Bank
211md.org
Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition