verde valley news – Manzanita Outreach was established to fill gaps in existing food security efforts. One such gap occurs during the summer, when children who rely on school-based free meal programs lose access to important sources of nutrition.
This year, Manzanita will leverage its compassionate volunteer force and extensive food storage and distribution capabilities to operate the region’s Summer Food Services Program (SFSP). This program provides a week’s worth of frozen food to local children in need. Meals are nutritionally balanced and USDA approved. The menu includes kid-friendly favorites like mini cheeseburger sliders and bean and cheese burritos with fruit and veggies.
Families can pick up their “freeze and thaw” meals at one of three convenient locations and receive a Manzanita fresh food box for the whole family at the same time. Verde Valley locations include Manzanita Food his hub in Cottonwood and many locations in Clarkdale, just outside the school.
Along with local schools and libraries, Manzanita will serve as a hub for the Verde Valley, filling a weekend void in the Dewey-Humboldt school system. Other providers offer hot meals to eat on the spot, allowing those without access to a kitchen to stay nourished and enjoy the summer.
For more information about other services available in Yavapai County, visit mohelp.org. For more information about Manzanita Outreach, including volunteering with our summer food security efforts, visit manzanitaoutreach.org.
this is an advertisement
