Learning doesn’t stop when school lets out, and neither does the need for nutritious meals.
This summer, Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland partnered with the MEP in Todd county to help ensure students had access to the food they need to learn, grow and thrive.
For MEP Coordinator Pablo Ramirez, the partnership is personal.
More than 20 years ago, Ramirez was a student in the same program he now leads. Today, he helps provide educational opportunities for nearly 200 students whose families work in agriculture throughout western Kentucky.
“Our main focus is to keep students moving forward in their education,” Ramirez said.
During the summer, MEP provides reading, math and enrichment activities for students from preschool through high school. In a rural area where summer opportunities can be limited, the program helps children stay engaged and connected while preparing for the next school year.
For many students, success in the classroom starts with something much simpler: having enough to eat.
When traditional summer meal options were unavailable this year, Ramirez turned to Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland for help. Through the partnership, families received food boxes while students attending the summer program enjoyed fresh, hot meals prepared by a local restaurant.
For many of the families served by the program, summer can mean the loss of regular school meals. According to Ramirez, about 85% of participating families rely on school meal programs during the academic year.
“You have to be fed to be able to function in school,” Ramirez said. “If a child is hungry, they’re not going to be able to focus on what they need to do.”
The impact extends beyond the classroom. Program staff often deliver food boxes directly to families, helping remove transportation barriers and ensuring children have access to nutritious food even when school is not in session.
“If we can take one thing off a family’s plate, it helps a lot,” Ramirez said.
For Ramirez, that’s what makes the partnership so meaningful. By working together, FAKH and the MEP are helping ensure children have the support they need to succeed not just during the school year, but all summer long. To donate, visit feedingamericaky.org/donate .
A portion of this program is funded by the No Kid Hungry campaign from Feeding Kentucky.