When school’s out, who will feed the kids?

June 22, 2026 - 08:46

With the final school bell ringing across Eastern North Carolina, thousands of children who rely on free breakfast and lunch during the academic year face a sudden gap in their food supply. Local summer meal programs and food pantries are scrambling to fill the void, even as new federal restrictions cause a sharp decline in SNAP enrollment.

The challenge is immense. For many families, the end of the school day means the end of reliable meals. Community centers, churches, and non-profits have stepped up, offering grab-and-go lunches and backpack programs. In counties like Pitt, Craven, and Lenoir, volunteers are distributing shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, and canned goods to ensure kids do not go hungry during the long summer break.

But the safety net is fraying. Recent changes to federal work requirements and eligibility rules have led to a significant drop in SNAP participation across the state. Advocates say that as more families are cut from the program, the strain on local pantries grows heavier. One pantry director in Greenville noted that demand has risen by nearly 30 percent since last summer, while donations have not kept pace.

Without the structure of school meals, children in food-insecure homes often miss out on essential nutrition. Health officials warn that this can lead to weight loss, developmental setbacks, and increased risk of chronic illness. Summer feeding sites are open across the region, but transportation and awareness remain barriers. Organizers are urging families to call their local school district or county health department to find the nearest site. For now, the community is doing what it can, but the need is outpacing the resources available.