Schools in Northern Kentucky provide free or reduced-cost lunch and breakfast to students during the school year, depending on need. Now, school’s out for the summer for most kids.
So where are NKY school children facing hunger getting healthy meals this summer?
LINK nky looked at government and non-government options for school children facing food insecurity – defined by the federal government as limited or uncertain access to adequate food – when school cafeterias are closed. Here’s what we found.
The federal SNAP program
School meal assistance is often tied to SNAP—the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps, which covers food costs for low-income families at home. Schoolchildren can receive free or reduced-cost meals if their household participates in SNAP or similar programs or meets specific income requirements.
In NKY, there were 11,100 households totaling 26,000 people (adults and children) participating in SNAP as of January, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.
Summer EBT
This summer, Kentucky school children ages six to 18 who receive SNAP benefits will get extra food help: a one-time federal food assistance payment of $120 through a summer electronic benefit transfer (SEBT) program announced by the state last week. Children with SNAP will be automatically enrolled in the program according to the state. Families with children who are not automatically enrolled, but who meet low-income guidelines, can apply at kysebt.ky.gov, according to state officials.
“Food is a basic need,” Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander said in a press statement to LINK nky regarding the program. “Supporting children, families, communities and grocers is the right thing to do. I want to thank all those who join us in lifting up our children and families to be stronger and healthier.”
In Boone County—where 3,840 children were food insecure in 2022, according to the national food bank network Feeding America—schools superintendent Matt Turner told LINK nky that the SEBT program would help approximately 8,000 students within the school system.
“We are always grateful and appreciative of any support and assistance provided for our students,” Turner said in an email to LINK nky.
Dayton superintendent Jay Brewer described the program as “a great way to help our students and families get the food and nutrition that they need to grow and develop. These funds will allow for families to meet the needs of their children when they are away from our school feeding programs,” he said. “This is a positive step forward for our Kentucky kids.”
What other options are available to NKY kids?
Not all school children in NKY or elsewhere who face hunger qualify for SNAP or other income-eligible government programs.
Half of the 3,840 children that Feeding America reported as food insecure in Boone County in 2022 were “likely ineligible” for federal nutrition programs, the organization reported. In Kenton County that year, 33% of food insecure kids – or 2,100 of 6,360 children reported food insecure in Kenton County by Feeding America in 2022 – were likely ineligible for federal food assistance, according to the organization.
Next door nearly half of Campbell County’s food insecure child population in 2022 – or 1,177 of 2,560 – were likely ineligible for federal help, Feeding America reported.
Luckily, there are options for those children too.
Summer Food Service Program
Free summer meals and snacks are available at schools, libraries, parks and other locations in the region throughout the summer as part of the federal Summer Food Service Program. Any child up to age 18 can get an on-site meal with no application or other information, according to the official website.
NKY free summer meal sites are located in Newport, Bellevue, Covington and cities throughout the region. Want to learn more? Locations and times for meal sites can be found using this handy Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder provided by the United States Department of Agriculture:
NKY food banks and pantries
Nonprofit organizations and churches throughout NKY serve the food insecure. Some require an appointment, and some may allow walk-ins. Some may also use income requirements, but not others. It’s recommended that those interested in food assistance call these organizations before visiting.
Here is a handful of food pantries serving the region that have been curated by LINK:
(An extensive list of regional food pantries and food resources is provided on NKU’s website)
Covington-based food pantry and thrift store that offers monthly pantry access and emergency food assistance. Located at 1100 Pike Street. Call 859-291-6789 for more information.
Catholic charitable organization that has served NKY for over a century. St. Vincent de Paul has three food pantry locations in NKY: Erlanger (2655 Crescent Springs Road), Falmouth (518 Barkley Street) and Cold Spring (3972 Alexandria Pike). Identification is required. For hours and more information call 859-341-3212.
Action Ministries provides groceries to those in need who live in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant and Pendleton counties. Income guidelines apply and identification is required. Located at 4375 Boron Drive in Covington. For hours and more information call 859-261-3649.
Looking for more detailed information on food assistance or eligibility for public assistance programs? A good place to begin is Feeding America’s Find Help page.