Thousands of children here in Bellevue rely on their school for meals. This school year has been uniquely challenging for these children due to COVID-19. With remote learning underway, families dependent on free and reduced-price meals at school are left scrambling to provide food for their children. Accessing the proper nutrition their family needs is now an even greater struggle.
Even before the pandemic, over 3,000 children in Bellevue were experiencing hunger. Today, that number is rising. This increase in need means Bellevue LifeSpring is supplying more food vouchers to local families than ever before. Since schools closed in mid-March, you have helped us provide 505,960 meals to Bellevue students.
Meet Emilio
Like many students in the Bellevue School District, Emilio struggles to get the nutrition he needs. The school cafeteria was one of the few consistent places he could rely on for getting a meal.
Last year, Emilio’s little sister Candice was diagnosed with autism. His mom had to leave her job to stay at home and help support his sister’s development. Emilio’s dad works very hard, but they still struggle to pay the rent and bills.
Once the pandemic hit, Emilio’s dad got laid off from his construction job and is now taking odd jobs as he can find them. Emilio’s family was barely making ends meet before. Now, with limited to no income, most days there is not enough food for the family. Emilio’s parents often skip their meals so that they can ensure Emilio and Candice get the nutrition they need.
For Emilio, his parents and his little sister, the Bellevue LifeSpring food vouchers provided an enormous sense of relief during this crisis. Without having to worry about how they will get their next meal, Emilio’s parents can focus on paying the bills and Emilio can concentrate on his remote schooling.
More Than Food
Despite the affluence of Bellevue, hunger is here in our community. Many families, like Emilio’s, are just one crisis or one surprise bill away from experiencing hunger.
As a community, we all have a role to play in fighting hunger and ensuring all of our local children have the equal opportunity to succeed in school. No child can thrive on an empty stomach. Your support is not only providing essential nutrition, but it’s restoring hope for our local children and families in need.
Please help us continue to fight hunger and create moments of gratitude like these for children and families in Bellevue:
“We are more than grateful, thank you all very much! I can’t express how much of a blessing that is! All I can do is think about how I can give back? My heart is overwhelmed!”
“I really appreciate your help and thank you, Bellevue LifeSpring. I will always remember that you helped my family solve big problems. When the virus passes, if you need me, I hope to come to you as a volunteer to help others.”
“I’m so happy to receive this support from you. This is a great help for me and my family. Thank you so much, Bellevue LifeSpring!”
