The South Plains is considered to be in the “severe needs category when it comes to child hunger, and one in every four children is considered to be food insecure.
Every summer, The South Plains Food Bank has the summer food program where they give out hot, nutritious meals at 30 different feeding sites.
There’s now a way parents, teens, and children can locate these sites more efficiently. By texting: “FOOD” or “COMIDA” #877-877, a list of the closest feeding sites will appear.
Amber Tayama with The South Plains Food Bank, said the texting method will make it easier to locate these sites because in the past people had to search online or call 211.
“It’s really low key and it’s easier for kids to find out themselves and if they don’t have a ride they can text it and see where they can walk to,” Tayama said.
Director, Susan Raines Luesse said they project to provide one 114,000 meals this summer. She said anyone under 18 can go to any of the sites and eat for free no questions asked.
“That’s one of the challenges that we face is spreading awareness, anyone can eat free at any of our sites, the LISD sites, the YWCA sites, they don’t even have to be enrolled in the program at that site,” Luesse said.