Hunger in Appalachia During Summer

Throughout Appalachia, there are countless children going hungry as they are not guaranteed nutritious and filling breakfasts and lunches. While they normally receive meals each day at school, during the summer months, they are at home, and the cupboards are often bare.

Such is the case in low-income communities in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and Tazewell, Virginia, where every summer hundreds, if not thousands, of school-age children miss meals.

Support from Americans Helping Americans®

But this summer, thanks to the supporters of Americans Helping Americans®, we are providing grant funding to our partners—Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS) and the Labor of Love Mission (LOLM)—who are operating new summer feeding programs to serve hungry children in their communities.

Efforts in Jefferson City, Tennessee

AMOS Launches New Summer Feeding Initiative

In Jefferson City, AMOS Executive Director Jean-Ann Washam shared that the new initiative is allowing them to deliver food to children in partnership with the Jefferson City Housing Authority.

“AMOS has identified areas with a dense population of children who receive free and reduced lunches during the academic year,” reported Jean-Ann, noting that about half of all students enrolled in the Jefferson County School System—roughly 3,500 students in grades Pre-K through 12—have been identified as high risk for food insecurity.

Americans Helping Americans® Visits Jefferson City

In June, Americans Helping Americans® staff visited Jefferson City to observe the program in action.

First Baptist Church Volunteers in Action

On the morning of Friday, June 20, a group of volunteers at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City—organized by church Deacon Pam Hester—were busy packing grocery bags with food items such as canned beef stew, Pasta O’s, chili, tuna and vegetables, peanut butter, applesauce, and more to deliver to children and youth in the identified communities.

Volunteer Recruitment and Community Support

Jean-Ann explained that when Americans Helping Americans® Executive Director Cameron Krizek proposed initiating a summer feeding program in partnership with AMOS in Jefferson City, she knew one of her first tasks would be to recruit volunteers to distribute the food.

A Fortuitous Meeting with Pam Hester

AMOS already has more than 100 dedicated volunteers working in its warehouse and supporting other programs. Just as she was trying to figure out how to attract even more volunteers for the new summer feeding program, Pam walked through Jean-Ann’s door.

At the very moment Jean-Ann was beginning her search for volunteers, Pam was discussing possible ways she and volunteers from First Baptist Church could provide outreach to the less fortunate in their community—without starting a new program from the ground up.

Shared Mission and Seamless Coordination

When Pam learned of the need for volunteers for a new summer feeding program, she immediately knew it would be an ideal opportunity. A former teacher at Jefferson Elementary, she was already well aware of the many students who go hungry during the summer months.

“Everything came together at a perfect time. Americans Helping Americans® wanted to secure nutritional needs for the children in these communities right when volunteers were starting to look at how they can give back,” explained Americans Helping Americans® Director Cameron Krizek.

Initial Program Success in Jefferson City

Jean-Ann reported that the volunteers distributed a total of 98 food bags on the first day of summer food distributions.

“We had a few left over from the housing authority location and took the remaining bags to the kids who are in summer school and receive food during the academic year, and then continued on to a local mobile home park,” she noted.

“The first week went well, but I anticipate it going even better as the summer goes on,” she added.

Efforts in Tazewell County, Virginia

LOLM Feeds Hundreds Weekly

In Tazewell County, LOLM Director Rene’ Steele has also been busy packing summer food boxes for children and youth in her community.

Rene’ explained that through LOLM’s summer feeding program, she is bringing the food directly to children and youth during the summer months.

Transportation Barriers in Rural Areas

“Many students may not have a way to get to the school even if they provide a feeding program,” she said. “Parents just do not have the means—gas, transportation, or money to pay someone to bring children out of the hollers and valleys every day in our mountainous region to pick up lunch for their children.

“Times are harder now,” Rene’ added. “I know the need is greater than ever.”

Distribution Statistics and Impact

Since the program began on Monday, June 9, Rene’ reported that LOLM has distributed a total of 757 boxes each Monday through July 7. The boxes contain items such as canned pasta, Vienna sausages, ramen noodles, Slim Jim meat snacks, cereal, granola bars, Little Debbie snack cakes, and more. Using grant funding from Americans Helping Americans®, each box is thoughtfully packed and includes eating utensils.

Looking to the Future

The summer feeding program is a new initiative for both AMOS and LOLM. It benefits hundreds of children and youth throughout the summer—with the expectation that over the course of weeks, months, and years, the program will continue to grow as more low-income families become aware of it.

“To me, this is just the beginning,” said Pam Hester, Deacon at First Baptist Church.