This Creative Summer Food Program Is Offering a Vital Lifeline to Families Nationwide
Childhood hunger remains a major problem in the U.S. According to a HelloFresh-commissioned surveyconducted as part of the company's "Hunger Matters for Kids Report," 80 percent of parents surveyed are concerned about hunger and food scarcity. This is a growing concern for Americans, and 67 percent of respondents said they were more worried about having the money to feed their kids today than at the same time last year.
With summer break here, families that relied on free or reduced lunches to keep their children's bellies full are now scrambling to put meals on the table. On June 17, 2026, HelloFresh announced a partnership with No Kid Hungry in a campaign the two organizations are calling the "Kids Helping Kids to End Childhood Hunger" initiative to help ensure no child goes hungry and to help parents and caregivers in the fight against the summer hunger crisis.
Two Major Organizations Are Joining Forces This Summer
According to a press release, HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry are kicking off a summer meal campaign to deliver free, healthy meals and grocery assistance to communities across the U.S.
"Summer should be a time for joy and rest, but instead, it is the hungriest time of year for millions of kids," Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, said in a press release received by Parade. "We are incredibly grateful for HelloFresh's continued partnership to address this issue. By combining nutritious meal deliveries with localized youth advocacy, this campaign ensures that families not only get the immediate food assistance they need, but also the long-term resources to navigate the summer months with dignity."
The Help Doesn't Stop When Summer Ends
The summer campaign runs in addition to HelloFresh's year-round program, Meals with Meaning, which works with communities to deliver 36,000 meals a week to those facing hardships. HelloFresh also hosts a LimeAid initiative that offers three months of free meal kits to families in need, with applications accepted through both applications and nominations.
"At HelloFresh, our mission is to change the way people eat forever, and a fundamental part of that is ensuring that everyone-especially children-has access to fresh, nutritious food all
year round. We know that the fight against childhood food insecurity doesn't take a vacation, and it certainly doesn't stop when the school doors close," Jeff Yorzyk, Senior Director of Social Impact & Sustainability at HelloFresh, told Parade. "We stepped in because of a staggering gap for millions of kids who rely on free or reduced-price school meals, school breaks bring food anxiety rather than relief," Yorzyk says. This is the third year the company has partnered with No Kid Hungry, and they have been able to distribute specialized meal kits and resources right when
families need them most as a result.
Related: HelloFresh Launches First-of-Its-Kind Meal Kit Nationwide
Here's Where Families Can Turn for Help Right Now
If you're looking for help putting food on the table, Sabella says you can visit the No Kid Hungry website to learn more about eligibility for programs like Summer EBT, SNAP, and WIC.
"Navigating these programs can be challenging, but we are doing our best to make it easier for kids to get the meals they need," Sabella continued, adding that there are other places you can reach out to for more information, including:
- Schools
- State agencies
- Doctor's offices
- Childcare centers
"But we encourage families to start with these trusted community resources to get an understanding of what might work best for their family," she continues. "Especially since the tools states have to make programs like SNAP more accessible will likely be affected by recent cuts to the national program."
There's No Shame in Asking for Help
It sounds like HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry know there's a stigma attached to asking for help with putting food on the table, but Sabella says you shouldn't let that fear or embarrassment keep you from reaching out.
"But having food is a basic human right, and families should stay informed and do what's best for them based on their circumstances," she says. "These programs exist to help kids when they need it most. And by providing children with nutritious food, SNAP and programs like it are actually helping improve outcomes for kids."
Sources:
- HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry Press Release
- Hunger Matters for Kids Report
- Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York
- Jeff Yorzyk, Senior Director of Social Impact & Sustainability at HelloFresh
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 7:49 AM.