In an effort to address the challenges faced by families during the summer months, ECU Health has partnered with Food Lion Feeds, Sodexo, and the ECU Health Foundation to launch a new initiative. The program offers free meals for children, teenagers, and individuals with disabilities in Greenville, Bethel, and Ahoskie. The selected locations were chosen based on factors such as the level of need in each county, existing partnerships, and social vulnerability index.
During the school year, many students benefit from free or reduced-price meals. However, when schools are closed for the summer, these meals are no longer available. This leaves families facing a difficult choice between providing food for their next meal or paying for other essential expenses like utilities or medical care. In North Carolina alone, over 57% of students receive free or reduced lunch. Pitt County has an even higher percentage (66%) while Hertford County’s percentage is over 90%.
Through this initiative, ECU Health aims to provide much-needed support to these families during the summer months. Meals will be served at designated locations until food runs out each day in Greenville at English Chapel Free Will Baptist Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday-Friday from June 10 to Aug
