“I’m hungry!â€
That’s probably one of the first things your child says after he or she comes home from school. And, given the length of the average child’s school day, her body needs a healthy, mid-afternoon, nutritional boost to focus on homework and participate in other after-school activities.
According to the National School Lunch Program, “Afterschool snacks help ensure that children receive the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow.â€
More than 160 children rely upon the Orange County Family Resource Centers (Dobbins Hills, South Estes and Trinity Court/Pritchard Park) for their after-school snacks. However, due to recent budget cuts, funding to underwrite this basic nutritional need has been eliminated.
You can help the centers continue to provide healthy snacks for these children throughout the year by donating food or money to purchase fresh or canned (low-sugar) fruits, fresh vegetables, low-fat milk, fruit juice (100 percent), granola bars, cereal and other after-school favorites. Contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.
For further information, visit chtop.org/Programs/FRC.html#What.
Alesia Sanyika
FRC program manager