Feeding Hungry Kids for 12 Summers

For some, the summer says lobster rolls and clam chowder — but for others the food focus is on hungry kids.

What is Food4Kids?

27 August 2024 — ORLEANS, MA - For some, the summer says lobster rolls and clam chowder — but for others the food focus is on hungry kids. Food4Kids just completed its 12th season under a new director, and delivered more than 700 meals daily this year reflecting the widespread food insecurity on Cape Cod. The program fills in the summer gaps, reaching children when school is not in session.

Are there hungry children on Cape Cod?

More than 100 volunteers pack lunches and deliver them the the camps and summer programs that then distribute them to children. The need is ever growing says the program's new director Jenn Gale, who also noted that need has grown 10 to 20 percent each year since the program began a dozen years ago. 

The 700 lunches delivered daily this year only addresses the Lower and Outer Cape - and even then she said many children are still falling between the cracks.  She hopes to be able to expand the program geographically across the reach because food insecurity is such a widespread problem.

What does the future look like for Food4Kids?

Gale says that in addition to reaching more children, she also added hot lunches and grab and go programs this summer. She hopes to incorporate additional elements, such as literacy outreach, in the future as well.