For some Rio Grande Valley children, their school lunch along with another meal at home will be the most they will eat in a day. During the summer, families might struggle to feed their children throughout the day.
Dora Olivarez of Harlingen takes care of her six grandchildren and some of their cousins. With the summer break about to start in a few weeks, her grandchildren will be home all-day long.
"The six grandchildren I have here were my daughter's kids, she passed away back in 2009," Olivarez said.
Olivarez normally depends on her local neighborhood pantry in Harlingen to provide her family with food when food stamps aren't enough.
James Coffman helps coordinate the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry that Olivarez visits. The pantry depends on big donors like H-E-B, Walmart and Big Lots who bring in surplus perishable food. The food pantry in Harlingen is part of the Rio Grande Food Bank, which receives food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We serve approximately 12,000 to 14,000 clients every month," said James Coffman, a coordinator at the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry.
According to the Rio Grande Food Bank, over the years they have received less and less from the federal government. As summer approaches, more donations will be needed so families like the Olivarez can full stomachs.
"I'm very grateful for that food bank and that food pantry, Cause otherwise they wouldn't be getting the nutritious food they do get from them," Olivarez said.
As a way to fight childhood hunger, during the summer CBS 4 together with Wild 104, will host the 3rd Annual Hunger Free Summer on Thursday, June 7. Monetary donations on that day will go a long way in feeding children and the elderly.
