‘Food to the Rescue’ Provides Meals to Those in Need

‘Food to the Rescue’ is a community program that offers meals to school-age children and teens throughout the summer.

Katelyn Steakley is the assistant director of the program. She said serving kids in need around Putnam County is the group’s primary goal.

“All of our food is easy to open. We want to make sure children can open it themselves or prepare it themselves,” Steakley said. “It’s all ready to eat. There’s nothing that’s unprepared that they can’t eat cold if they need to.”

Steakley said the program benefits children and families who may be struggling financially, as ‘Food to the Rescue’ assists those who may currently receive free meals from the school system.

Meals prepared by ‘Food to the Rescue’ for children in need across Putnam County (Photo: Logan Weaver)

“This is primarily a supplement to what the kids would normally get if they went to school,” Steakley said. “A lot of times, there is a deficit in what kids are getting because they are used to having two meals a day from school. If they’re on the free or reduced program, they’re getting breakfast and lunch, and when they go home for the summer, their parents are having to pay for that.”

Steakley said the program has grown significantly since it began last year. In 2017, ‘Food to the Rescue’ served only eight kids. Now, Steakley said, the program served over 420 this summer.

The program isn’t just limited to the summer months. Steakley said food delivery will be available for students within the Putnam County School District during fall, winter, and spring breaks of the 2018-2019 academic year.