The North Valley Community Foundation has distributed over $90,000 in food insecurity relief grants to local organizations, supporting efforts to feed children during spring break, with funds still available for additional applicants.
CHICO, Calif. — The North Valley Community Foundation has distributed more than $90,000 in food insecurity relief grants to local organizations. The grants are helping feed hungry children during spring break.
Spring break means a break from classes, but for some children, it also means a break from food due to food insecurity at home. One grant is working to change that.
The grants come from the Food Insecurity Relief Fund, set up by the North Valley Community Foundation. The foundation's Executive Vice President David Little explained that they set up the fund in late October because of federal cuts to food support programs.
Organizations have applied for grants between $500 and $1,500 to replenish food banks in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa, and Plumas counties. That included schools like the Oroville City Elementary School District.
"Schools have trouble keeping their food pantries stocked and want to do more things to help kids on their campus. Oroville City Elementary came in and they wanted to help feed their kids during spring break, when they might not have access to food," Little said.
The foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to the Breaktime Bites to Fuel Our Future program. The district app announced grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for 1 day.
During the pickup window, parents, guardians, and students could show up and grab meals that require little to no prep. That way, kids could feed themselves.
This is an ongoing program that typically serves more than 200 students. The North Valley Community Foundation has awarded more than $90,000 in grants from the $120,000 raised.
Community organizations are encouraged to apply promptly before the grant runs out. Little says the applications are easy and simple to fill out.
