For some kids, the meal they get at school may be the only reliable meal they get in a day.
In Virginia, 44% of kids rely on free or reduced lunch and are at risk for food insecurity, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In North Carolina, NCES reports 56% of kids qualify. The numbers in Hampton Roads fit in that range too. For example, nearly 57% of Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) students — more than 7,000 students — qualify for free and reduced school lunch, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
That’s why those in the community want to make sure children are well-nourished all year long…