The Campti Community Development Center is one of seven organizations across Louisiana awarded a share of $97,500 in grant funding from No Kid Hungry Louisiana to support summer meal programs for children in rural communities.

The funding aims to address food insecurity during the summer months, when many children lose access to school-based meals. For families already facing tight budgets, summer can be the hungriest time of the year.

The grant will help expand access to non-congregate summer meal options—programs that deliver meals directly to children or allow families to pick up multiple days’ worth of food to take home. These flexible models have proven effective in overcoming barriers to food access in rural areas.

In addition to the Campti Community Development Center, grant recipients include: East Baton Rouge Parish, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, St. Landry Parish School Board, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.

According to a recent nationwide survey by No Kid Hungry, 74% of rural families living on low incomes ran out of food at some point over the past year, highlighting the urgent need for continued support.

“Summer meals are a lifeline for kids and families who rely on school meals throughout the school year,” said Rhonda Jackson, director of No Kid Hungry Louisiana. “We’re excited to support the programs that are making dependable nutrition accessible to families in all corners of the state.”

Families in need can find a summer meal site by visiting http://www.NoKidHungry.org/Help. The program is open to all children 18 and under.