Schools are at the center of our communities and our kids’ lives. Parents know and trust the people who work at their community schools and schools have the facilities and staff needed to feed kids every day. That’s why school meals programs are at the heart of the Wesley Foster Foundation work.
School Breakfast
Increasing access to and participation in school breakfast is critical to ensuring students are fueled to take on the school day. Research shows kids who eat school breakfast are more likely to:
- Consume diets adequate or better in key vitamins and minerals
- Have decreased behavioral problems and tardiness
- Miss fewer school days
- And show increased cognitive and academic performance.
School Lunch
Balanced nutrition throughout the day contributes to student success in and out of the classroom. Research shows children are getting their healthiest meals at school. Studies have demonstrated that school meal programs play an important role in supporting obesity prevention, overall student health, and academic achievement by improving children’s diets and combatting hunger.
Afterschool Meals
After doing months of research and talking to numerous teachers/principals, it was brought to our attention that afterschool meals are just as important as breakfast.
Studies show afterschool meals help with test scores, attendance, and graduation rates. Kids will be willing to stay after school for tutoring because of the meals that will be provided.
Teachers across the country tell us how important those meals are to their students who might not get enough to eat at home, providing not just nutrition but a sense of security and stability.
Summer Meals
For thousands of children, summer is the hungriest time of year. During the school year, we can reach children with programs like breakfast, lunch, and afterschool meals. But during the summer when schools are closed, those meals disappear.
The answer is free summer lunch programs run by local schools or community groups and open to any kid or teenager who needs a healthy meal.
The Wesley Foster Foundation helps community leaders get the resources they need to run these critical programs.
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