"We know summer is the hungriest time of year," says Rachel Sabella, emphasizing that many parents face stress when trying to provide sufficient meals during school breaks, especially with the recent survey revealing that 41% struggle to provide food when school is closed. Coupled with rising worries, this highlights a critical issue facing many families as they seek to ensure their children are nourished properly while school is out.
The survey revealed that nearly half (44%) of parents are more worried now than last year about feeding their kids during school breaks, showing increasing concern for food security among families. This worrying trend indicates growing struggles, especially as 75% of parents facing difficulties express concern about meal availability, driving them to make sacrifices like skipping meals to prioritize their children's nutrition.
As noted in the findings, the reality of summer hunger causes physical, behavioral, and mental health issues, leading to poor academic performance for children when they return to school. Experts underscore that the 'summer slide' particularly affects low-income children, and the pressures on parents can exacerbate mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, revealing the broader societal impacts of food insecurity.
Among families, the majority reported having adjusted their budgets (60%) or reduced other expenses (52%) to cope with the challenges of finding adequate summer meals. The priority placed on feeding children despite financial strain highlights the intense struggle families face in maintaining food security during school closures, which can have lasting effects on both parents and children.
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