Most kids savor summertime and welcome the respite it represents from the drudgery of alarm clocks, bus stops, tests and homework. But for nearly 400 kids in the Lower Keys, summer can mean hunger.
During the school year, nearly 400 kids from low-income families know they’ll get two hot meals a day at school — breakfast and lunch — that are either free or deeply discounted, depending on household income. Summer doesn’t come with the same guarantee.
When school closes for the summer, so does the cafeteria.
Key West vocalist Kim Gordon, who founded the nonprofit Music with Heart, decided to do something to fight summertime hunger and keep kids fed. She launched the Feed Our Kids fundraising campaign that raised $50,000 and culminated in March with the Black and Red Masquerade Ball, a concert and dance party at Key West Theater.
“This comprehensive fundraising effort truly took a village,” Gordon said. “A generous group of people helped make this large donation happen. I especially want to thank the sponsors and everyone who came out to support feeding our local schoolchildren. With their help, we were able to meet our ultimate goal of $50,000 in net proceeds.
“Now, all summer long, needy kids from Key West to Big Pine Key will receive weekly backpacks stuffed with seven nutritious dinners and weekend snacks prepared by the SOS Foundation and distributed with guidance from the Monroe County School District,” Gordon said.
From June 4 through July 2, the Feed Our Kids meals will be distributed through summer school programs under the guidance of the school district. Then from July 6 through Aug. 7, SOS Foundation will distribute the backpacks at five sites from Key West through Big Pine Key.
“It’s about neighbors supporting each other. Together, we won’t let our kids go hungry
this summer,” said Gordon.More information is at keysmusicwithheart.com.
