But for hundreds of families in our community, summer brings something far more difficult: uncertainty.
During the school year, children rely on access to free and reduced-price meals to help meet their daily nutritional needs. When school doors close, those meals disappear—leaving families to stretch already tight budgets even further.
This is what we call the summer hunger gap—and it is a reality that continues to grow in our community.
The Hidden Challenge of Summer
At PROP, we see firsthand how quickly needs shift when summer begins.
Families who may have been getting by during the school year suddenly face:
- Increased grocery costs with children home all day
- Fewer structured meal opportunities
- Rising pressure on already limited household budgets
For many, this means making impossible choices between food, rent, utilities, and other essential needs.
And increasingly, we are seeing families come to PROP for the first time during the summer months—seeking support to bridge this seasonal gap.
How PROP Steps In: Summer Food for Kids
That’s where Summer Food for Kids (SFFK) comes in.
PROP’s Summer Food for Kids program is designed to ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious, reliable food—even when school is out.
Through this program, families receive additional food support specifically intended to replace the meals children would typically receive during the school day.
Each Summer Food for Kids distribution is thoughtfully designed to meet real needs, offering:
- Kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare meals
- Fresh and perishable items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein
- Staple pantry items that help families build complete, balanced meals
This year, we are also continuing to evolve the program based on what we hear directly from neighbors—expanding access to fresh, nutritious options and exploring new ways to bring food directly into the community.
Because we know that access matters just as much as availability.
More Than a Meal
Summer Food for Kids is about more than food.
It’s about stability.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about making sure every child can enjoy summer without hunger standing in the way.
When families have reliable access to food, it allows them to focus on everything else that matters—work, childcare, education, and overall well-being.
How You Can Help
As we prepare for the summer months, the need is already building.
You can be part of ensuring that no child in our community goes without the food they need by:
- Making a financial gift to support fresh and perishable food purchases
- Organizing a donation drive (with updated needs lists coming soon)
- Sharing this message to help raise awareness of the summer hunger gap
Every dollar, every donation, and every act of support helps us meet families where they are—when they need it most.
Together, we can ensure that when school ends, support doesn’t.