With school out for the summer, many Wisconsin families face a growing challenge: feeding their children. According to Feeding Wisconsin, around 400,000 kids in the state lose access to regular school meals during summer break. “We always see a spike in food pantry demand during these months,” said Jackie Anderson, Executive Director of Feeding Wisconsin. That’s because parents must now fill the gap once covered by school breakfasts and lunches.

“We’re seeing the biggest increase in childhood hunger since the Great Recession,” Anderson added.

Statewide, more than 618,000 people are considered food insecure. That means they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. “That’s the reality too many are living in,” Anderson said. “One in 10 adults and one in six children in Wisconsin face food insecurity.”