“During the school year, kids get breakfast and lunch five days a week (that’s 10 meals), during the summer, those households are missing support for 10 meals,” shared the Rev. John T. Harwood, of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. “We’re trying to help address that gap. This summer we want to provide extra food for families with school-age children.”

Due to inflation and the rising cost of groceries, this new project will challenge the budget of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.

Currently, school breakfast is free for all students in Pennsylvania, through the State’s Free Breakfast Initiative and school lunch is free for reduced-price eligible students.

Under Community Eligibility Provision schools, all students in Mifflin County elementary schools receive free meals, with the exception of Indian Valley Elementary School, which receives them up to third grade.

Submitted photo
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard is a non-profit organization that runs with the assistance of volunteers, pictured (from left) are Susan Kratzer, Tom Beaver, and Lillian Myers.

A school’s eligibility to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision is based on the percentage of enrolled students who are eligible for free meals. Eligibility is based on various factors, including income guidelines, receiving food stamps, cash assistance or medical assistance.

Parents/Guardians of students who are not eligible and do not attend a Mifflin County elementary school may complete a free/reduced meal application to determine if their students qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on their household income.

According to Hope Baker, the Food Service Fiscal Technician for Mifflin County School District, in the 2024-25 school year, an average of 1,518 students ate breakfast each day — 1,197 of which were free eligible students and 36 were reduced eligible students; an average of 2,942 students ate lunch each day — 2,262 of which were free eligible students and 67 were reduced eligible students.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard serves about 50 families with school-age children, the goal of the summer program is to provide extra groceries to students over the summer to eliminate hunger without school provided meals.

“We (are) able to do this because of the generosity of our community and the big hearts of our faithful volunteers,” shared Harwood.

Submitted photo
Raymond Rabold, a client of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, picks up an order of groceries.

Donation checks can be made out to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (21 South Main Street, Lewistown, PA 17044), note on the subject line “summer program.”