It’s Back to School time in the National Capital Community! If you remember anything about middle school, it’s not easy being a teenager and getting ready for high school. United Way NCA works to make sure all students are able to learn and take that next big step.
1 in 5 children deal with food insecurity. For many low income families, having the support of school meals helps children stay healthy instead of hungry.
When some students go home for the weekend, the cupboards are empty. On top of the struggles faced to feed a family, parents now must deal with behavioral issues and bad grades due to the stress their children face from hunger. These problems often discourage kids from showing up at school at all.
Eighth grader Jennifer had poor attendance until a Communities in Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator at Cardozo Education Campus intervened. With little food and hygiene products at home, the Coordinator worked with Jennifer to incentivize her to come to school while connecting her parents to the resources needed for Jennifer to be happy and health at home.
For many students like Jennifer, the easiest way we can help is to provide the food and supplies needed to support them at home. Students in need at Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia are able to take home a Weekend Hunger Backpack and come back to school ready to learn on Monday.
You have the power to make sure no child has to go to school hungry by providing them these basic needs. Your donation to our United Way NCA will directly help a local student graduate and achieve their full potential, or provide food and hygiene backpacks at four more schools this year by contributing directly to our Stuff the Bus initiative.
We need your help: make a donation to your United Way!
