Cub Foods Program Aims to Fight Food Insecurity
A local grocery store chain is teaming up with schools to help feed children this summer. The initiative is called “May Days to Feed Hungry Kids.” For the whole month of May, Cub Foods is teaming up with the nonprofit GENYOUth and the Midwest Dairy Association to raise money and awareness for school nutrition programs here in Minnesota.
Food prices have soared during the pandemic, only increasing disparities, particularly for children who rely on free or reduced-price lunch.
New data show food insecurity has increased in Minnesota and across the country. Statistics show one in six children was food insecure, but it grew to one in four children due to the pandemic.
“Throughout our whole district, we have a fairly high percentage of students on free or reduced lunch, and that’s true for Maple Grove Middle School as well,” said Maple Grove Middle School Principal Patrick Smith.
Cub Foods teams up with nonprofits to raise funds for school nutrition programs this month.
How Others Can Make a Difference
The Osseo School District isn’t the only one where students are facing food insecurity. Many school officials say the pandemic made it problematic to feed students because of the hybrid learning system. And they anticipate families will still be struggling this summer.
Cub shoppers can help make a difference by making a financial donation or round up on their grocery purchase total at the register.
The money raised will go directly to neighborhood schools where Cub has stores, including Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Maple Grove.
“Kids need nutrition, they need to grow, to thrive, to learn, and they need good nutrition. And it’s hard if a parent is unemployed, or if they don’t have facilities to make that food to give their children the basic needs,” said Maureen Bausch, GENYOUth chief development officer.
