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Summer Sustenance
Summer Food Programs Ensure No Child Goes Hungry
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While the start of summer is exciting for kids, it can also bring anxiety to those struggling with food security. Food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to healthy food, and 14% of Texans experience it, according to FeedingTexas.org. Various organizations are combating that through summer food programs.
Texans Feeding Texans
One of the biggest summer food programs is the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals program, which served 15 million meals at 5,711 meal sites in 2019, says Catherine Steele, the administrator for food and nutrition at TDA.
“Just as meals at school help children concentrate in the classroom, summer nutrition helps more children have an active, healthy summer so they can look forward to being back at school or just grow and thrive,” Catherine says.
Along with the TDA’s summer food program, individual school districts like Grapevine-Colleyville ISD often have their own summer food programs or serve as meal sites.
“We start in March preparing for that year's summer feeding programs,” says Julie Telesca, GCISD’s director of nutrition. “There is a lot of planning that takes place for our summer feeding programs, including our registered dietitian developing a menu, determining staffing schedules, creating marketing and signage materials and then communicating about the program to our families and the community.”
Another local program is GRACE’s Feed Our Kids, which anticipates to serve more than 30,000 kids this summer, says Stacy Pacholick, GRACE’s chief program officer.
“Before we talk about improving income, improving employability, improving education, we’ve gotta make sure that families have enough food and are sheltered so their energy is not being spent on meeting their basic needs,” Stacy says.
Last summer, the North Texas Food Bank served around 7,000 kids through their child programs.
“Many kids and families depend on school meals as a source of nutritious, affordable food,” says Madison Messinger, the Child Programs Administrator at NTFB. “When you remove that safety net, summer break can seem pretty daunting.”
Pandemic Pivot
As the pandemic hit, the need for food increased and organizations had to get creative.
“We implemented a lot of drive-throughs and grab and gos,” Madison says.
GCISD also pivoted to a curbside model and saw an increase in need due to the pandemic.
“Prior to the pandemic, we served about 450 students daily. Last summer we served about 800 to 1,000 students daily through curbside meal bundles,” Julie says. “This summer we are anticipating serving 1,500 students daily through in-person and curbside service.”
No matter how it looks, one thing is clear: These organizations won’t stop serving those in need.
“In North Texas, one in four children are food insecure. That statistic can feel overwhelming sometimes, but hunger is a solvable problem,” Madison says. “With the support of our neighbors, we can put food on the table and ensure children have the nutrition they need to grow up strong and confident.”
SOUTHLAKE STYLE'S
portraits of mom
Mothering takes a village. To celebrate these women, we held our first-ever “Portraits of Mom,” a digital campaign centered on local mamas. Starting in March, we asked you to send us pictures of the moms in your lives, share your personal experiences and tell us what mom means to you. The pages ahead showcase a few of our favorite findings, just in time for Mother’s Day.
We learned some interesting tidbits along the way. In our “Who Are Southlake’s Moms” survey, only 23% of respondents said their extended family lives in the Metroplex, which leaves many to rely on their neighbors for support. Thankfully, the city’s community spirit is 58% of our respondents’ favorite part about parenting in Southlake.
Whether you are a new mom in town or are helping raise your grandkids, we’re here to show you that you aren’t alone. And we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Southlake-area moms.
GRANDMOTHER NOPHILIA, MOTHER ROSHNI AND DAUGHTER MIHIKA POSE WITH OVERSIZED SUNFLOWERS IN MADISON, WISCONSIN.
SHALINI BALSON SAYS IT’S REWARDING TO WATCH HER MUSICAL FAMILY FLOURISH.
REBECCA HICKS WALKS HER 2-YEAR-OLD SON JOHN AND 8-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER JUNE ACROSS THE BEACH.
Southlake Public Information Officer Brad Uptmore poses with his mom Debbie in a full matching leopard ensemble.
To The Mother Of My Grandson
Do I have enough diapers? What formula is best? How many newborn sleepers do I really need? These are all normal questions asked by first-time moms every year. Last year, however, new questions surfaced. Will I have to give birth alone in the hospital? Can I hold my baby? Is it possible to stay safe from COVID-19?I’m sure you asked yourself all of these questions and more while you and my son prepared to welcome your first baby into the world at the end of March 2020. As the due date approached, hospitals changed rules daily when information about the new pandemic became available. In anticipation of the birth, and in spite of uncertainty, you held on to your joy and excitement. I, on the other hand, struggled with worry. Thankfully, while holding my position in the hospital parking lot, I received the wave and phone call announcing the arrival of my first grandchild. Even with your extended family not allowed in the hospital, you didn’t complain. An hour after the birth, things began to change. Baby Cooper was taken to the NICU with heart problems, where he remained for a week. My heart broke that you were not able to be with Cooper for those days immediately following the birth. When the two of you were finally cleared to leave the hospital, my heart broke again when I thought about the new reality of COVID restrictions and quarantines awaiting your arrival home. At a time when most new moms want their own mothers around for support, you found yourself treading the Jo Brabham waters of early motherhood mostly on your own. Through FaceTime tutorials, phone updates and texted photos galore, you managed to keep all of us in the loop and connected. And through it all, you didn’t complain. In July, things began to change yet again. Cooper started having episodes that were eventually identified as seizures. He was soon diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare disease that causes non-cancerous tumors to grow in the major organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and eyes. It turned out that Cooper’s seizures were being caused by a brain tumor. Since July, you have been busy accompanying Cooper in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices seeking answers. And still, you don’t complain.In spite of your initial shock, you have grown into an amazing mother — sharing Cooper with us and relaying his most recent stories, all the while being fully present and ready for whatever comes next. Caring for Cooper, you and my son have solidified into a formidable team. Remarkably, in light of your challenges, today I hear resounding laughter and lightness coming from the home the three of you have created. We recently celebrated Cooper’s first birthday, and you continue to impress me. The future is not certain, COVID lingers on and Cooper’s health will never be taken for granted. Yet transcending it all, you mother, you love and you never complain.
est. 2006
VOL 13 DRAGON PRIDE FALL • 18
OCTOBER2007
Cover Template June18.indd 3 9/13/18 4:59 PM
Growing up with Southlake Style
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