Great American Milk Drives helps hungry kids
For most kids, June is the start of summer break a time of fun and excitement where they’re free to play all day, every day. But for more than 22 million children including many in need in Southwest Florida – it also may mean the end of access to nutrient-rich milk when in-school free or reduced-price meal programs end.
Locally, more than 166,000 people living in Southwest Florida are considered to be “food insecure” by Feeding America. More than 56,000 of them are children, underscoring the need for help in the region.
According to a survey of food banks with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the most requested items by food bank clients year-round, and especially during the summer months when more kids rely on local food banks for nutritious meals otherwise provided by in-school programs. But on average, food banks are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year, because while Americans are generous with canned and dry goods, many don’t think to donate milk because it’s perishable.
The Great American Milk Drive is designed to deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to families and children struggling with hunger and often most in need of milk. The Great American Milk Drive makes it easy for Americans to make a difference in their communities because donations stay local. Since it began, The Great American Milk Drive has delivered more than 325,000 gallons of milk to families in need throughout the country, including more than 4,500 right here in Florida.
June is National Dairy Month, and this month and all summer long The Great American Milk Drive is on a mission to bring more fresh, nutritious milk with its nine essential nutrients, including eight grams of high-quality protein in each eight ounce glass to children and families who need it most.
Donation may be made at milklife.com/give. A gift of as little as $5 will deliver a gallon of milk to a family in need in your community who does not have regular access to it. By entering a zip code, you can ensure that the milk goes to a local Feeding America food bank in your community of choice.
Source: Florida Dairy Farmers