13 Virginians among those honored in 2019 No Kid Hungry Summer Hero Hall of Fame

Richmond, VA – A total of 13 individuals and organizations across Virginia have been named to the 2019 No Kid Hungry Summer Hero Hall of Fame, a national honor that recognizes and celebrates those who go above and beyond to find innovative ways to ensure children get the food and nutrition they need during the summer months.

This year’s Virginia inductees include the coordinator of outdoor barbecues at 18 school-based meal sites, a public library manager who has enlisted community partners to create fun and educational events around meal programs and the originator of a weekend backpack meal program that has tripled the number of students it serves over the past three years.

“This roster of Hall of Fame inductees not only showcases the incredible commitment that exists throughout the Commonwealth to help feed children experiencing hunger, but also the deep wells of creativity and energy to make it all possible,” said Claire Mansfield, director of No Kid Hungry Virginia.  “Our congratulations to these deserving recipients whom I know will continue to make big contributions to the well-being of so many children in Virginia.”

Among the 20 states recognized in this year’s Summer Hero Hall of Fame, Virginia had the most honorees, who are the following:

• Morgan McGhee, MPH RD, Food Operations Specialist, Fairfax County Public Schools
• Jennifer Brown, MSLIS, Ph.D., Youth and Family Services Manager, Suffolk Public Library
• Jacquelyn Linder, Nutrition Programs Director, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
• Kathy Jenkins, Page County Public Schools
• Katherine Humenik, Stacey Fox and Carrie Lohr, Warren County Public Schools
• Araceli Donahue, Fredericksburg City Public Schools
• Stefanie Dove, MBA RDN SNS, Coordinator of Marketing and Outreach for School Nutrition, Loudoun County Public Schools
• Cheryl Perkins, Taylor Education Administration Center
• Danville Public Schools Child Nutrition Staff
• Mary Poe, Assistant Director, Buena Vista Summer Feeding Program, Buena Vista Public Schools
• Becky Brown, School Nutrition Director, Buena Vista Public Schools
• Jane Fisher, Jenny Riffe & Daniela Brunner, Bobcat Backpacks Program, Radford City Public Schools
• Greg Holmes, School Nutrition Specialist, Loudon County Public Schools

One in seven children in Virginia live in families that struggle with hunger. Research shows that hunger has long-term ramifications on children, including lower test scores, weaker attendance rates, and a higher risk of hospitalizations and chronic diseases.

Summer can be the hungriest time of year for many children from low-income families. In fact, only about 15 percent of Virginia students who rely on free or reduced-price school lunches are also getting free meals through summer programs. When schools close, students no longer get school meals, and families struggle to put food on the table. Summer hunger can have a long-term impact on a child’s health, ability to learn and general well-being. No Kid Hungry and its partners focus on connecting kids to the national Summer Meals Program as a critical way to end childhood hunger.

Visit va.nokidhungry.org for more information about No Kid Hungry Virginia’s work.

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign

No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.