Summer as It Should Be

Meet Dayrl and His Kids

Summer should be a time for kids to just be kids: playing outdoors with friends, swimming, enjoying family BBQs, or whatever most lights them up.

But for too many kids and their families, it’s also a time of worry. When school lets out, Vermont parents need to cover more meals. For many, this is an everyday struggle during the summer months. Rising prices—from groceries, to gas, to healthcare—are putting nourishing foods increasingly out of reach. And while free summer meals for kids are available, 40% of Vermont kids who need meals in the summer aren’t accessing them. For parents working long hours and multiple jobs, it can be impossible to attend at the times they’re offered.

Dayrl is a small engine mechanic by trade and a single father. His kids, 10-year-old Tyler and 12-year-old Dayrl, are everything to him. “It does get hard sometimes,” Dayrl says. “Especially if I don’t have a good week at work and we’re low on food—we’ll get a meal at the pantry.” Dayrl gives his all for his kids and has even skipped meals to make sure they’ll have enough.

You can help families like Dayrl’s have enough nourishing food while school’s out. Your gift helps ensure food shelves around Vermont are well-stocked through the summer and beyond, for when families need some extra help. Together, we can get more food into local communities, so that kids and families have what they need to enjoy their time off. Will you join us by giving today?