Thanks to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, Russellville City Schools received a grant of $19,000 – and the Child Nutrition Program has put the pedal to the metal to put that money to good use.

The No Kid Hungry grant opportunity provides funding to school districts to maximize child nutrition programs to ensure children and families have access to healthy meals at school.

“The purpose of the grant is to support our critical work to end child hunger,” explained RCS CNP Director Elaine Vaughn. “Russellville City Schools Child Nutrition Program used the grant to purchase a van to deliver breakfast and lunch to our Pre-K students every day – and in the summer the van is used to distribute meals to all of the schools.”

Vaughn said they received notice of grant approval in May, and the van was purchased in July.

CNP employees deliver meals to their Pre-K students in their building, across town from other RCS facilities.

“We deliver about 75 breakfasts and 75 lunches each day and snacks daily,” explained Vaughn.

“In the summer, it can be anywhere from 100-500 a day,” she added. “It depends on if the students have sports practices that day.”

Vaughn said the No Kid Hungry program knows the essential role school districts play in ensuring students receive nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive to reach their full potential.

“These flexible grants will allow school districts to respond to the growing needs and emerging opportunities to provide meals and resources to kids and families.”