MIFFLINTOWN — When the school year ends in the Juniata County School District, the need doesn’t. For many Juniata County families, the months between June and August bring a new challenge: replacing the breakfasts and lunches their children rely on during the school year.

The Juniata County Food Pantry’s Summer Backpack Program steps in to close that gap. Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Saturday, Aug. 22, the pantry will provide weekly lunch items to eligible Juniata County School District students entering first through ninth grade, who received free or reduced lunches this past year.

Now in its 14th year, the program has become a steady source of relief for families feeling the strain of rising grocery prices. Volunteers say the need is growing, not shrinking. Nationally, an estimated 47.9 million people live in food-insecure households, including 14.1 million children. That’s one in five kids facing inconsistent access to adequate food.

Local families feel those numbers in real ways. Without proper nutrition, children are more likely to struggle with energy, focus, and emotional regulation. Hunger can contribute to chronic illnesses, developmental delays, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating in school. The pantry’s goal is simple: make sure no child in Juniata County spends the summer hungry.

Parents or legal guardians can begin scheduling appointments by calling (717) 436-9718. Calls are returned during regular pantry hours — 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Families must bring a report card, either a paper copy or a phone image, to verify school attendance at their first visit.

Volunteers welcome

Adults and high school students are needed to help oversee the program throughout the summer. Students will receive documentation of their hours for community service requirements. Anyone with questions or anyone needing to arrange a donation drop-off outside regular hours may leave a message at (717) 436-9718. Calls will be returned.

The pantry will also provide backpacks and school supplies for students in need during August at their regularly scheduled food appointments.

Donation information

Single-serve lunch items are especially needed, including ready-to-heat microwave meals, single cups of rice or macaroni and cheese, soups, fruit cups, pudding, gelatin cups, snack crackers or cookies, single-serve cereal or oatmeal, 100 percent juice boxes and breakfast or granola bars.

Food donations may be dropped off at the pantry, 114 N. Main St., Mifflintown, during open hours. Financial contributions may be mailed to Juniata County Food Pantry, P.O. Box 44, Mifflintown, PA 17059, with “Summer Backpack Program” noted in the memo line.