GLEN SPEY – With the school year winding down, many students could soon lose access to free, nutritious meals they rely on throughout the academic year. As of this past week, that’s about to change as the Regional Food Bank works to keep those meals coming even after the final bell rings.

George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School (part of the Eldred Central School District) was filled with excitement Wednesday morning as the Regional Food Bank announced its Summer Meal Kit program, an initiative created to bridge the gap for children who rely on school meals during the academic year.

The program will provide free food kits to more than 600 children across 18 school districts in nine counties throughout the Regional Food Bank’s service area. Locally, 106 students from the Eldred, Sullivan West and Rockland school districts will receive weekly meal kits throughout the 10-week summer period.

Funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, the kits include 14 meals each week—seven breakfasts and seven lunches—featuring healthy options such as milk, cereal, juice, chicken nuggets, cheese, pasta, and fruit.

For Eldred Central School Superintendent Traci Ferreira, the program highlights a critical issue that is often overlooked once the school year ends.

“We love waving goodbye to our kids on the buses,” Ferreira said. “Unfortunately, that also comes with some trepidation for our families.”

Ferreira explained that during the regular school year, students receive free breakfasts and lunches every day—a resource that disappears once the final bell rings. She noted that approximately 20% of children in Sullivan County experience food insecurity, while roughly 40% of Eldred students qualify for free and reduced lunch.

“These summer meal kits will go a long way to helping our families,” Ferreira emphasized.

Thomas Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank, explained that the summer meal program was designed to reach students who may not have access to traditional summer meal resources, especially those living in rural areas where transportation can create additional challenges.

To help address that barrier, the kits will be delivered directly to families through UPS, ensuring students can receive meals without needing to travel.

“We understand that there are kids who simply … don’t get the nutrition they need if they didn’t have meals at school,” Nardacci stated. “So what happens during the summer to make sure that kids still have access to nutritious foods?”

Also highlighted during the announcement was the Regional Food Bank’s ongoing backpack program, which provides weekly food assistance to children during the school year. That program will continue in Sullivan County, with approximately 150 children receiving backpacks through community partnerships.

The need for food assistance is already something Mackenzie Elementary has been addressing through its own backpack program, community donations, and partnerships with organizations such as Sullivan 180.

Speaking as a “tag team” alongside Mackenzie Elementary School Nurse Tracy Whitney, School Counselor Michelle Gallo emphasized the importance of food delivery in a rural community where transportation can be a major obstacle.

“Having them delivered right to your door is huge,” Gallo stated.

Operating for more than a decade, the school’s existing backpack program has allowed families to quietly receive weekend meals without the concern of providing financial information or facing stigma.

“It takes a village,” stated Assemblywoman Paula Kay, highlighting the support of community members, churches, teachers and organizations that help keep these programs running.

Sullivan 180 CEO Denise Frangipane also praised the collaboration between the Regional Food Bank, local schools, and community organizations, emphasizing that addressing food insecurity requires many partners working together.

“We are committed to this mission that our children should not be hungry,” Frangipane said.

The event wrapped up with a graciously accepted invitation for Nardacci to tour the school’s stocked food pantry.

The Summer Meal Kit program begins the last week of June and will continue for 10 weeks.