As schools inch closer to summer vacation, children may lose access to necessary nutrition
According to Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca (CAP), over 7,000 children in Cayuga and Seneca Counties rely on school meals, meaning summer can leave them hungry.
To alleviate this, CAP is collecting cereal, oatmeal, and other breakfast items for children in both counties through its second annual Cereal for Summer program. CAP Marketing and Development Director Jennifer Rossi told Finger Lakes News Radio that the goal of the program is to keep children well nourished during the months they can’t get free meals from their schools.
“Being able to provide cereal to them in the summer gives them a healthy start to their day; it helps alleviate some of the hunger that they face and gives them the opportunity to have a summer free of stress, allows them to dream about the future, and doesn’t put them behind when they start school again in the fall,” said Rossi.
Cereal, oatmeal, granola, and breakfast bars are currently being accepted at five locations:
CAP Cayuga Offices at 89 York St, Auburn
CAP Seneca Offices at 25 Center St, Waterloo
Auburn Police Department at 46 North St, Auburn
Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office at 7445 County House Rd, Auburn
CFCU Community Credit Union at 1959 US 20, Waterloo
Rossi added that Other locations may be added in the future and will be listed at caphelps.org. In lieu of food, financial donations can also be made via the website.
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