Rockland Community Against Hunger Launch Summer Hunger Relief Effort

When school doors close for summer, hunger does not take a vacation.

Thousands of children in Rockland County rely on school meals during the academic year for consistent nutrition and stability. During the summer months, many families face significant barriers to accessing food, including transportation challenges, work schedules, and limited meal site availability.

In response, Rockland Community Against Hunger (RCAH) is launching a summer hunger relief campaign aimed at helping ensure local children and families have access to nutritious food this summer.

The initiative will help provide food assistance to families in need through trusted community networks, strategic distribution partnerships, and collaboration with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. 100% of all donations will go to buy food for these children.

“There are over 60,000 children under 17 years of age in Rockland County. A staggering 25% live below the federal poverty level according to a 2025 affordability report. Rockland has one of the highest child poverty rates in New York State, higher than the statewide average of 18.6%. This translates to over 15,000 children that NEED OUR HELP,” said Anita Dreichler, Coordinator of RCAH. “As a collaboration of food pantries and meal programs in Rockland, RCAH can do more to help these children, especially during the summer months when school meal programs are scarce. That’s why we are working with local school districts and summer programs to provide more food for children throughout the County.”

As Chair of the Spring Valley Collaborative, Maria Vanessa Cipolla emphasized the urgency of community-wide action. “No child in our community should face hunger simply because school is out for the summer. In Spring Valley and across East Ramapo, we know many families are already carrying tremendous burdens. This initiative is about neighbors helping neighbors, organizations coming together with purpose, and ensuring our children have the nourishment they need not only to survive, but to thrive.”

This effort reflects the power of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together nonprofit organizations, public health partners, school-connected family support networks, and community advocates to address one of the region’s most pressing needs.

Community members, businesses, civic groups, and philanthropic partners are encouraged to support the initiative through financial contributions.

HOW TO HELP: Donations can be made at: https://cfosny.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=11923 or Rockland County Against Hunger Donate to Our Programs

Every contribution will directly support food access efforts for local children and families this summer.

For more information, visit: https://www.rocklandhunger.org

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Name: Anita Dreichler

Title: Coordinator, Rockland Community Against Hunger
Phone: (914) 261-0650
email: adreichler@gmail.com