WHO WE HELP
Square One recognizes that hunger and lack of nutritious food have long-term
consequences for children
From its start in 1883 as a childcare center for Springfield’s working families, Square One has expanded its services to better support families where they need it most – from early childhood education to out-of-school care, parent education, workforce training, and more. Each day, Square One plans, prepares and serves a balanced, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks to 500 children. And gardening is incorporated into the curriculum to promote the long-term health and wellness of these inner-city kids. Children plant, water, and nurture their garden throughout the summer, rewarded by the fresh vegetables harvested from their labors.
"Your $30,000 gift to Square One will literally feed hundreds of children for well over a month, as our typical monthly spending on meals for our children is about $21,000/month.” Kris Allard - Square One
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AT NO KID HUNGRY, THAT'S OUR PROMISE.
IF IT SOUNDS SIMPLE, THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. No child should go hungry. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 kids in America could face hunger. And No Kid Hungry is helping in western Massachusetts. In Chicopee, No Kid Hungry helped provide 6,000 breakfasts and lunches a day at 14 grab-n-go sites throughout the city. And, in Springfield, it helped Springfield Public Schools honor it’s hardworking frontline workers serving and delivering meals with grocery cards.
The Weekend Backpack Program serves
between 250-500 kids per week
https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/o/hps/page/food-services
While students at Holyoke Public Schools receive breakfast and lunch at school during the school year, they might go hungry on the weekends without the HPS Weekend Backpack Program. Each week, 250-500 Holyoke children receive a backpack of nutritious food to tide them over until Monday. Last year, almost 2,000 children at 13 Holyoke schools received the gift
of food.
pioneer valley power packs is a weekend
food backpack program
https://www.pioneervalleypowerpacks.org/
Pioneer Valley Power Packs provides a weekend supply of nutritious food, discretely packaged and distributed, to children attending schools in Easthampton and Northampton. Currently, 237 children are being supported. Grateful parents appreciate the variety of healthy food that they know their children need to thrive:
From the parents:
"The kids love receiving their bags every Friday. We are so grateful for your help."
"We love receiving the power packs, they really help out. Thank you so much"
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From the teachers:
"Students are very excited to receive their power packs! They love the variety and can't wait to see what they get."
"This is an amazing program for children and families!"
