"Hunger Affects Children Every Day of the Week," said Sandy Hinkle, Executive Director of Feeding Medina County, who welcomed Medina Sunrise Rotary to her new 7,000 square foot location at 650 West Smith Road. "How can a school child focus on solving a math problem or memorizing a new word when she or he is trying to ignore the pangs of hunger?"
Across Medina County on Monday mornings, school administrators and teachers have found, in some instances, they are forced to compete against hunger for the attention of their students. Across the country, more than 18 million children qualify for free or reduced lunches through the National School Lunch Program. In Medina County alone, close to 8,000 children are on the free and reduced lunch program. This means that nearly one in four children in Medina County do not have reliable access to food.
What happens to these children in Medina County when they go home for the weekend? Weekenders for Children happens! A grocery bag containing 3 healthy meals and snacks is prepared by our Feeding Medina County volunteers for 31 Medina County schools to help fill the gap for those students and families by ensuring that kids show up Monday morning hungry for learning, not for food.
Along with our expanding Weekenders for Children program, Feeding Medina County also provides: Staples for Seniors, Free Food Distributions, Food Pantry Deliveries, and a Community Garden. Hunger has become an issue for Medina County. With the continuing help of Medina Sunrise Rotary, our many generous community partners and committed volunteers, we can make a difference!
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