Summer meal program: A community’s helping hand

Along the lakeshore of Erie County, PA, the Harbor Creek School District took on a vital mission this summer, ensuring that no child in the community went hungry. Volunteers from across the district, including teachers, administrators and support staff, worked tirelessly to distribute 28,000 meals to families in need. The program, which ran every Monday and Thursday, operated as a drive-thru service to ensure safe and efficient distribution. On Mondays, families picked up three-days-worth of meals, with each child receiving three breakfasts and three lunches. Thursdays brought another visit, where families received four breakfasts and four lunches per child to get them through the weekend. This consistent and reliable support provided a much-needed lifeline for many families, helping to bridge the gap left by the end of the school year’s free and reduced lunch program. The success of the program was a testament to the community’s spirit and the dedication of the school district’s staff. It not only provided essential nutrition but also offered a sense of hope and solidarity to families during a challenging time.