The SE Ohio Foodbank, a program of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), has wrapped up another successful Summer Meals season, ensuring that thousands of children across Athens, Hocking, and surrounding counties had access to healthy, reliable meals while school was out.
In 2025, the Foodbank and its partners served 136,530 meals to children, a more than five-fold increase compared to last summer. This growth was fueled by the addition of non-congregate meal options, offered alongside traditional “eat-in” programs at community libraries.
For many families, the non-congregate distributions were a lifeline. In Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Morgan, and Perry Counties, families could pick up weekly meals containing seven lunches and seven breakfast packs to take home. This flexible model meant children had access to food even if they couldn’t attend a daily program, giving parents peace of mind and helping them better manage summer schedules.
Meanwhile, local libraries in Chauncey, Coolville, Glouster, Nelsonville, Logan, and Laurelville continued to host traditional lunch gatherings where children ate together. These “eat-in” sites became lively community hubs, where kids not only received a nutritious meal but also enjoyed the chance to socialize, learn, and participate in library programming. As one librarian reflected, “It’s a staple event in the summer here at the library. The kids come and enjoy hanging out together, and parents are so grateful because otherwise they aren’t sure how they’d get through the summer feeding their kids.”
Together, the two approaches created a stronger, more inclusive network of support. Families who needed flexibility benefited from non-congregate distributions, while those looking for connection and activities found it at the libraries. Across the region, the result was the same: more children nourished, more families supported, and more communities strengthened by the power of food.
“This program provided much-needed nutrition and peace of mind for families,” said Alicia Miklos, director at the SE Ohio Foodbank. “We are proud that through innovation and partnership, we were able to serve more kids than ever before.”
The 2025 Summer Meals Program was made possible in part through the generous support of No Kid Hungry, whose investment helps local partners like the SE Ohio Foodbank expand access to meals and fight childhood hunger across rural communities.