Spotlight on Childhood Hunger in Pittsburgh: Casey Pushes to Expand Access to Summer Feeding Programs and Alerts Residents to Local Feeding Sites for Vulnerable Children

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey spotlighted childhood hunger in Pittsburgh, pushed for expanded access to summer feeding programs and alerted residents to local feeding sites for vulnerable children. 80% of Pittsburgh school children are eligible for free or reduced price lunch during the school year, yet 9 out of 10 don't take advantage of summer feeding programs. There are over 160 sites across Allegheny County that are working to ensure children don't go hungry during the summer months.

"Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation. Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks in the learning process. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle of poor performance once school begins again," Senator Casey said. "We need to make the summer feeding program accessible to more children, which is why I am supporting legislation to lower the threshold to allow areas with 40 percent or more of students receiving free or reduced meals to be eligible for the open enrollment program."

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