August 9 | Isabelle Panza
As summer ends and the new school year approaches, children face various anxieties. Some worry about finishing their summer reading and others struggle with the hassle of waking up early for the bus. Choosing the perfect outfit for the first day can be a fright, too. However, for many children their concerns are much more serious—like whether their parents will be able to provide them lunch.
This last group represents the 69,000 food-insecure children on Long Island. At Long Island Cares we see firsthand how the energy among parents and their school-aged children shifts as August is in swing. Parents, often feeling embarrassed, want to provide their children with the same abundant lunches and snacks that other students enjoy. Meanwhile, the kids worry about being the only ones in the lunchroom with an empty lunchbox.
For these 69,000 children, lacking lunch is more than just embarrassment. It can lead to brain fog, angry outbursts, isolation, and lower school grades. Hunger can profoundly impact a child’s ability to learn and socialize, affecting their overall well-being and future opportunities.
Long Island Cares helps ease this burden by providing a variety of food options. This allows parents to pack nutritious lunches, giving their children the satisfaction of a full lunchbox. Our programs – such as Kids Cafe – ensure that kids don’t have to worry about being different than their peers or facing the stigma of hunger.
Now, these children can sit at the lunch table with confidence, knowing they can eat with their friends. They can focus on their studies and enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood without the constant worry of where their next meal will come from. By supporting Long Island Cares, you help make this possible, ensuring that every child can thrive, both in and out of the classroom.